University of Sunderland Press Release
The University’s very own radio station has picked up a national award after just five months on air.
The Community Spirit award was presented to the 107 Spark FM team at this year’s Student Radio Conference in Nottingham, organised by the Student Radio Association, in recognition of their efforts to engage with the local community. The award goes to the station judged to have forged the most successful links with its audience.
Spark FM beat off competition from stations across the UK.
Station Director and University of Sunderland Head of Radio Fred Marden said: “I’m very proud that 107 Spark FM has been recognised in this way. After such a short time on air, it’s a real testimony to the huge amount of work that’s been put in by our dedicated students that run the station.”
Spark FM is the only radio station in the North East focusing specifically on issues affecting young people, broadcasting from the university’s campus on the banks of the River Wear.
“This award reinforces Sunderland’s reputation as the most exciting place in Britain to study radio” Fred continued. “I’m sure it will be the first of many.”
Lee Sevenoaks, Spark FM Station Manager (pictured above), says: “Since launching in October, Spark has been actively involved with in the community of Sunderland, from attending community meetings and talking to local people, going to local schools to give presentations, holding training to get local children involved with spark and even getting them on air with their own shows! We have also been running work experience and had some great success stories. We also support our local hospice Grace House and have decided a program to them after helping out at their Christmas service.
“We are active within the University community including running a PA over Freshers week working alongside our Students Union, and have just completed our second outside broadcast from the University’s Open day. Spark FM has also supported our local papers toy appeal by producing free radio adverts that we played and helped out collecting toys for Wearside Women in Need. We are also passionate about Local Music and have co-organised two Unsigned Events at our students union, the latest one has been filmed for Sky TV! and this is all in just under 6 months! And were aiming to go even further over the next 6months!”
107 Spark FM, launched in September 2009, broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from purpose-built studios at the David Puttnam Media Centre on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s. There are many opportunities to get involved, from presenting to producing, from music to marketing. The station can be heard across the City of Sunderland and beyond on 107FM, and across the world on the internet at www.sparksunderland.com
The Student Radio Association is the representative body which supports and acts on behalf of the UK student radio community.
