HALTON Hospital will pay tribute to its amazing NHS heroes with a 12-hour radio marathon.

On Friday, the hospital’s Radio Halton will team up with Warrington Hospital’s Radio General and Soho Radio for a special radio day.

From 8am through to 8pm, staff and patients will be able to enjoy fantastic music and inspirational stories as a huge ‘thank you’ for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hospital radio presenters will work alongside former Blue Peter star, Celebrity Masterchef contestant and Sky Sports presenter Ayo Akinwolere, DJ Norman Jay MBE and Primal Scream bassist and renowned Rock DJ Simone Marie.

Other star guests are to be announced soon, with a host of household names lining up to say thank you to amazing staff with interviews, messages and performances.

Warrington Hospital to host 12-hour radio marathon as thank you to NHS heroes

Hospital radio presenter David Birch at his home studio

Throughout the pandemic, Radio Halton has not been able to enjoy its normal interaction with patients and has had limited access to their studios.

Presenters were determined however to find a way to reach out to patients and thank staff for their incredible work over the past year.

Soho Radio stepped up and offered its assistance, with DJs presenting shows remotely alongside hospital radio presenters.

It is hoped that the broadcast will pave the way for launch of Radio Halton online, to ensure patients and staff continue to hear stories and music requests to help them through their day.

The radio marathon will be broadcast via Radio General and Radio Halton’s normal hospital networks and PA systems, as well as at radiogeneral.co.uk and sohoradiolondon.com

Hospital radio presenter Jim Jefferies at his home studio

Hospital radio presenter Jim Jefferies at his home studio

Dr Alex Crowe, medical director of Warrington and Halton hospitals, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us as a trust to publicly get behind the wonderful NHS and social care staff in our area, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for over a year now.

“We keep asking them to go back to the well, to dig deeper and keep going, and they have not let us down. Their professionalism, compassion and resilience is remarkable.

“While this has been the most challenging year of my NHS career, I can also say I have never felt more pride in my profession, my trust and my colleagues.”

Keith Inman and Derek Gates, from the hospital radio stations, added: “Both stations are very pleased to be part of this special day and to say thank you to all our NHS staff for all of their hard work and dedication, especially during the pandemic,” they said.

“It will enable us to build positively for the future and continue to support them all through the months ahead.”