Andrew Halmshaw - RSA colleague, DJ, Station Manager and champion fundraiser

For 25 years, Motor Engineer, Andrew Halmshaw (pictured left), has volunteered at Huddersfield Hospital Radio. He tells us why supporting this charity is a privilege and a passion that enriches his life...

I started working as a volunteer for Huddersfield Hospital Radio back in 1999, some 25 years ago. I’ve always loved music and wanted to find a way to help the local community that involved my passion.

Hospital Radio seemed like an obvious choice. I bit the bullet and wrote a letter to Huddersfield Hospital Radio (2HR) and managed to get an interview. Within minutes of being there, I knew that it was the place for me. I’ve been a member ever since.?

Huddersfield Hospital Radio is a registered charity run by volunteers since 1953. The service provides 24-hour radio from the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI) and has live broadcasts during the week Monday to Friday between 7-10pm.

There are request shows, weekend shows and broadcasts from the Hope Chapel within the hospital on Sunday mornings. We also provide live coverage of all matches from the John Smiths Stadium featuring Huddersfield Town Football Club and the Huddersfield Giants Rugby League.? ?

I’ve done a wide variety of shows playing all kinds of music to the patients. The first song I played on my first ever show was Crowded House and 'Don't Dream It's Over'.?The number of hours I’ve spent broadcasting since is, well probably a lot!

A few standout broadcasts include:

• Broadcasting on a canal boat travelling through the Stanage Tunnel. This was in conjunction after extensive renovations to the tunnel and a grand opening working alongside Yorkshire Water in 2007.?
• Live broadcasts at Huddersfield Town Hall, working with comedian Billy Pearce and other celebrities for local fundraising events.
• We’ve provided weekly entertainment at local old people’s homes and had numerous guests at the studio, including priests, numerous charities, SAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen’s Families Association) and the Colne Valley Male Voice Choir.
• Our also services include live matchday commentaries from the Huddersfield Town Football Club stadium to the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and the visually impaired at the stadium since 1953.?

This is how Huddersfield Hospital Radio started 70 years ago. I’ve included a photo of one our founder members broadcasting from the ground.?

We have built a close relationship with Huddersfield Veterans Society who visit the studio to talk about their experiences of World War 2 and other conflicts. We’ve helped numerous university students and volunteers to have successful careers in radio and teaching. We’ve also assisted people with special needs to gain employment in local businesses.

In 2003 I became Station Manager and was part of the team that oversaw our move to 24-hour broadcasting. A new studio has been installed and I have continued in this role ever since, providing our invaluable service and working closely with the local community.??

I’ve always taken an active role across Yorkshire in fundraising for the radio. Together, we’ve raised tens of thousands of pounds for the running of the hospital radio to ultimately to serve the patients. Since I started at RSA in 2015, their match funding scheme has also provided invaluable donations to our cause.

In recent times Covid has hit our radio organisation hard. Fundraising was not possible and has been non-existent for a few years and our membership has shrunk. We rely heavily on our fundraising and is an integral part of our annual calendar.

In 2024, we’re hoping to move to internet broadcasting. This will drastically reduce our running costs and give ourselves a higher profile within the community. We have worked closely with RSA. They have advised that should anyone reading this feel they wish to donate to our cause, then please head to our website.

Alternatively, you can contact myself or Huddersfield Hospital Radio on Huddersfield 01484 342838.

It has, and continues to be, an absolute privilege to work alongside such kind and friendly people. They give up their valuable time as volunteers and they provide an important service to the patients of The Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and the local community.

I’m always conscious that we’re playing to people in hospital who are likely experiencing a difficult time, for themselves and their families. This makes volunteering more meaningful, both to me and Huddersfield Hospital Radio.?I take a lot of pride and joy in being part of such a wonderful organisation. I treasure the role I have as a volunteer providing an invaluable service. It’s something I’m so proud to be part of.