VOLUNTEERS who serve Oxford’s hospital radio station have picked up a string of awards for their shows.

Radio Cherwell, the radio station for the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, in Headington, won the broadcasting gongs at the National Hospital Radio Awards on Saturday.

The station, based at the Churchill Hospital, operates 24-hours-aday, seven-days-a-week and has been broadcasting since 1967.

Joe Pilbrow, from Southmoor, won gold in the Best Newcomer Category and silver for Male Presenter of the year Year Category.

The 17-year-old applied to be a volunteer at the station in March and has been on the air since July.

The Matthew Arnold sixth form pupil said he was delighted with his two awards and hopes it can help on the way to finding a career in radio.

He added: “It’s crazy to even be among some of the brilliant people there. Listening to everybody’s entries and hearing about all the hard work that everyone is dedicating to the patients in hospital is amazing.

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“It’s still a bit weird to think about having one award let alone two. It was really exciting to get the awards, it’s a great achievement and I’m very proud.”

The station’s shows play a range of music and interacts with patients, giving out prizes to quiz winners.

Last year programme controller Ian Pinnell won the Gold Award for Male Presenter of the Year.

Volunteers visit patients in the hospitals as part of some of the shows, and Joe’s children’s show on Saturday morning is particularly popular.

He added: “We have a kids show and we play games with them, it’s a really cute show, everyone on the wards is so friendly and it’s so much fun being involved.”

Other award winners were Susie Peddle, 34, from Thame, Roy Peach, 26, from Marston and Alison Sweatman, 47, from Summertown.

Ms Peddle, won Bronze with co-host Mr Peach in the Best Programme with Multiple Presenters Category.

She said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic and I’m really happy with it. I have been a volunteer for about seven years, but this is the first time we entered and to win an award is fantastic.”

Ms Sweatman added: “I was a bit surprised, but delighted. It’s really nice that we have got recognition for all of the hard work.

“The age range of the group is fantastic. Joe has just started his career, and when I joined it was a completely new challenge which has allowed me to develop enough skills to set up my own business.”

Now the station is trying to raise a total of £50,000 to move into The Old Gatehouse on the Churchill Hospital site and transform it into a modern broadcasting studio because its current base is not fit for purpose.

Chairman Neil Stockton said it was absolutely fantastic that the volunteers had received so much good recognition.

He added: “We have some patients that are here months that listen to all of our shows.

“We get a lot of self-satisfaction being there for the patients and it’s great that the people that give up their own time are winning awards.”