A MUCH-loved Swindon community radio station was presented with a trio of cheques last week, providing vital funding as it fights to stay on the air.

Following news Swindon 105.5FM had just three months of funding remaining the town has rallied to donate as the station seeks to secure its future and meet their £40,000 annual running costs.

In recent years the station has met their costs through grant-funded projects and donations.

But last week, fundraising received a three-pronged boost as station manager Shirley Ludford received a cheque for £4,900 from the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation, enough to pay rent at the Bentley Centre premises and one music licence until the end of the year.

Mr Ali, from Rodbourne’s Curry Place, then donated £250 to the station, after holding a fundraising curry night.

He said: "We are proud to support this very great community service for Swindon and hope to continue our support.

"Shirley and the team help such a huge number of people and organisations and provide a very important service to our town which I feel very proud to be part of."

A third cheque was given by Swindon Ghost hunters who donated the £250 proceeds from their recent ghost hunt at the station.

After three years of campaigns, Swindon 105.5FM and all community radio stations are now also permitted to air sponsored programming or advertising features to meet a percentage of their core costs.

And Shirley said the public's response to the station's plight had overwhelmed her.

“I am passionate about getting radio out into the community and this is helping us to continue doing just that," she said.

"Thank you to everyone that has helped us so far and for the many kind donations that keep coming in. Things are definitely looking brighter for us now.

"The response we've had has been incredible and things are definitely going in the right direction."

The team was joined by five students from Isambard and Kingsdown school currently on work placement at the station.

Over their seven years on-air Swindon 105.5FM has been notable for welcoming volunteers and trainees with a wide range of disabilities such as visual impairment, learning difficulties and victims of physical abuse.

Teenagers with Aspergers recently completed a course at the station which helped them to develop key team work skills and create a feature film.

Stratton Air Corps cadets also assisted the station with coverage of the Armed Forces Day.

To donate to the station or to advertise visit www.swindon1055.com.