Top volunteer award goes to Athlone Community Radio

Athlone Community Radio was one of the main award winners at the Westmeath volunteer night held in Mullingar recently. The event, in the Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar, was designed to celebrate and honour the wonderful job done by voluntary organisations in Westmeath. The aim of the event is to honour the extraordinary groups, organisations and charities who make a huge difference to the spirit of the county. This year there where 437 organisations considered for the prized award; the V'Oscar. Seven prizes were presented on the night by the Westmeath Volunteer Centre with the overall winners being Athlone Community Radio. The V'Oscars awards were given to recognise and reward the work volunteers do in the community. Ian O'Flynn, Manager of Westmeath Volunteer Centre presented the prize to Athlone Community Radio on the night. "I was delighted that Athlone Community Radio were successful in earning their V'Oscar, they were measured on their volunteer management, their promotion of volunteers and feedback from their volunteers. I would have no trouble in recommending that new organisations look at the model that Athlone Community Radio have created as an example of good practice" According to Athlone Community Radio: "The award received reads Failte, it is reflective of the ethos of Athlone Community Radio as we are always welcoming to people from all walks of life. Whether your interest is in heritage or the arts, music or sport, current affairs or a language, there is a place for you at Athlone Community Radio 88.4fm provided you are committed to the job you undertake." "Despite Athlone Community Radio 88.4fm only going on the air waves in January 2011 of this year (after receiving a ten-year licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) they have achieved a huge amount in such a short time. Athlone Community Radio 88.4fm was formed in 2006 to give the people of Athlone a much needed voice. It is a not for profit and a non commercial station. "It is a great achievement for the people of Athlone, there are only 23 licensed community radio stations in the country and Athlone is lucky to be one of them. The station's philosophy is based on community programming. This means that the community, people and the issues that are happening in Athlone drives the programming schedule. The people of Athlone have access to a fully accessible media platform through Athlone Community Radio 88.4fm. For more information please contact info@athlonecommunityradio.ie or if you are a community group contact community@athlonecommunityradio.ie or ring 0906490722. Don't forget to tune in on 88.4fm or catch us on the internet www.athlonecommunityradio.ie