Westmeath twins win competition to switch on Christmas FM
Five year old twins Ben and Louis McPhillips from Mullingar recently won a competition run by Christmas FM to find a very special little helper to visit the Christmas FM studio and officially switch Christmas On for 2023.
It’s finally time to break out the mince pies and get into the festive swing as Christmas FM is set to return at midday tomorrow (Wednesday) to switch Christmas On right across Ireland for 2023.
The much-loved station, which marks the start of the official Christmas season for many, will play round-the-clock Christmas hits, spreading an abundance of festive cheer and seasonal goodwill in the run up to the big day. Listeners can look forward to hearing all of their favourites including Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé and Slade as well as newer Christmas hits to add to their Christmas party playlist. Meanwhile the radio station presenters will be spreading lots of seasonal joy and fun, keeping the spirits of the nation merry and bright as we embark on the big countdown to Christmas Day.
Co-founder of Christmas FM Garvan Rigby said:
“We are so excited that Christmas FM is back for its 16th year, to switch Christmas On across Ireland for 2023. We can’t wait to sprinkle Christmas cheer and joy around the nation all throughout the festive season. Cadbury, Coca Cola and An Post have returned as premier FM sponsors for 2023 and The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley have also kindly donated their studio space again this year.
Celebrating 16 years on air is a major milestone for us which we wouldn’t have reached without Coimisiún na Meán and our amazing listeners, fans and volunteers who have supported us and our chosen charities throughout the years. We are once again raising funds for The Magic of Christmas appeal, supporting a range of children’s charities across Ireland helping children in need who need it most.”
Christmas FM has raised over three million euro for a range of charities since it began broadcasting. This year, Christmas FM will be continuing with their hugely successful ‘Magic of Christmas’ appeal, raising funds for Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and a range of children’s charities around Ireland making a difference in local communities through Community Foundation Ireland.
Last year, The Magic of Christmas appeal raised almost €300,000 for the charities and the fundraising initiative is hoping to raise over €1,000,000 between 2022 to 2024 for Ireland’s children’s charities and to maximise the impact of the funds raised by helping more children in need.
The station is presented on air each year by up to 100 volunteers who devote hundreds of hours of their time assisted by a core management team. Meanwhile, the costs of running Christmas FM are covered by various sponsors, ensuring listener donations go directly to the fundraising initiative. This year the station’s premier FM sponsors are Coca Cola, An Post and Cadbury.
As well as broadcasting online at www.christmasfm.com and on FM from November 28, Christmas FM also has a number of sister stations which are streamed globally, helping to sprinkle Christmas cheer and jolliness right across the world!