MaRaWthon charity fundraiser exceeds target of £1000

The University of Warwick’s student radio station, Radio Warwick (RaW), raised over £1000 for the charity Coventry Cyrenians.

Presenters, producers and members of RaW spent 100 straight hours broadcasting outside on the piazza from Monday to Friday last week, despite the cold and the poor weather conditions.

At the beginning of the week, station manager Jimmy Murthi told the Boar: “The MaRaWthon is a great way for everyone in RaW to get involved in raising money for a great cause.

“100 hours outside won’t be easy – but hopefully we can make a real difference for the Cyrenians, and have a lot of fun at the same time!”

Coventry Cyrenians provide much-needed services to homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the Warwickshire area, and aim to encourage them to live as independently as possible and improve their quality of life.

The charity posted on their Facebook page: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the team at RaW 1251AM for raising £1278.99 to support our work. The team from the University of Warwick braved torrential rain, winds and snow to complete their 100 hour outdoor broadcast.

“As well as showing off their broadcasting skills, the students showed exactly what you can accomplish when you work as a team.

“Their enthusiasm and commitment was outstanding throughout the entire challenge, and we are so proud to be a beneficiary of their hard work. Thank you so much for your support!”

The first night of the outside broadcast forced the radio station indoors as the weather was too wet to ensure the safe use of electronic equipment.

However, this did not deter the team the next day when the weather improved and after a slight relocation of equipment, dedicated members of RaW did overnight shifts on the station for as long as 10 hours at a time.

Donations were made via text message and on the website justgiving.com, as well as people stopping outside RaW’s broadcasting tent to give away their spare pennies.

Phillip Stoneman, first-year Economics student who presented an early morning show for the MaRaWthon on Friday, said: “It was mad, brave, but ultimately so rewarding, despite how cold it was outside – and when presenting we certainly reminded the listeners!

“It was fantastic to listen to the different types of output RaW has, as well as sharing the experiences of being placed outside during unearthly hours, all for a good cause.

“The MaRaWthon produced many memorable highlights, such as the auctioning off of RaW’s head of production for £3.50 and the rise of ‘bogwatch’ at 1am, as well as interviewing the producers of a new film whilst being cramped in the gazebo and holding a microphone under an unsuspecting passer-by!

“But what I’ll really draw from it is how much the whole station bonded together in the experience, and thanks to all those who made the experience unforgettable.”