When I got the call to appear on Hospital Radio Swindon two weeks ago, I thought nothing of it and signed myself up.
Little did I know that the date and time just so happened to clash with none other than England’s FIFA World Cup opening match against Iran.
A decision was to be made here. Did I brave the now torrential rainstorm outside and endure a half-hour trek in all these watery winter elements or was I to simply watch the football match in the warm safety of indoors?
I arrived at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital soaked from head to toe and raced to find the location of the radio station, battling numerous lifts, stairs and corridors to make it in time.
Despite feeling wet and cold from my expedition to reach the hospital, I soon warmed up as I was warmly welcomed by the team.
There stood Lin Barker, the friendly co-host who greeted me and showed me to my seat.
Lin, 69, has only been volunteering at the station for a year now after a career of many positions including clerical work.
“I love doing the radio here as I enjoy helping the patients and cheering them up in a time of need,” she explained.
After meeting Lin, I soon encountered the host extraordinaire Ken Hunt, 67, who gave me a quick hello as he was caught up in a fierce battle with technology on the rather large monitor in front of him.
“We have a new system you see,” remarked Ken as he searched for the playlist of music for the day’s show.
Just like that, a man appeared to assist Ken in his digital endeavours like a modern-day Aladdin’s genie.
Ken was not limited to three wishes only however as he also asked the man where the clock was on the screen as well as how to queue the music and see the countdown to tracks ending.
It is safe to say that the new system had rattled the gang and as time ticked by, I started to wonder if we would still be good to go for the afternoon’s show.
I should not have worried though as our technological saviour, Arthur Perkin, 78, ensured things were running smoothly and that we were ready to transmit to thousands of patients.
As I began to gear myself up for my maiden radio appearance, Arthur destroyed all composure in the room by announcing that England were currently 3-0 to the good against Iran.
The room celebrated, limbs everywhere, and like that the jingle played and we were good to go.
I featured alongside a star-studded line-up of the likes of Elton John, Elvis and Rod Stewart. They also played Robbie Williams.
Lin began to quiz me about my education, interests and how I got into journalism, and I could only hope that my answers were not boring the poor patients up and down the hospital.
After a quick heated debate amongst the gang as to whether Eartha Kitt the singer was also Eartha Kitt the Catwoman while her ‘Santa Baby’ played, we then checked the score live on air.
Further jubilant scenes could be seen within the small corner room of the hospital where the station is based, as England were now 6-1 up with Jack Grealish sealing a confident win.
As ten minutes of injury time was added on, Ken dedicated the final part of the show to the football to ensure patients were not out of the loop regarding a potentially unprecedented Iran comeback.
Despite a late penalty for the opponents, England stylishly won 6-2, and Lin proudly reported this to the entire hospital, concluding a great show packed with stars, sport, humour and Robbie Williams.
After finishing the successful set, we all began to chat afterwards, and the guys told me more about why they joined Hospital Radio Swindon.
Ken has been the host of Hospital Radio Swindon for over 30 years and has enjoyed every moment of volunteering.
“I always wanted to do football commentary when I was at football and this was a chance for me to get into radio,” he said.
“I used to broadcast programmes over with the British forces in Borneo, so my interest began there,” Arthur explained.
“The main objective is to make patients’ stay in hospital a bit more pleasant as a lot of people here don’t get visitors, so our job is all the more important.”
Hospital Radio Swindon has been going since the mid-1930s and despite being there since 1986, Ken and Arthur are always trying to modernise their show.
“We’re always looking for new members as we would love to do the show 24/7,” revealed Ken.
“They’re installing a new Wi-Fi system to allow us to stream for everyone.”
You can find out more about the radio station via their website here.
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