AFTER volunteering for 40 years at a hospital radio station, a man from Bicester has been awarded for his dedicated service.

Martin Kinch, 58, has been recognised for his service as a presenter at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio by the Hospital Broadcasting Association by being awarded the Long Service Award.

Having started out in 1979, the presenter has hosted programmes such as ‘Introquiz’ and 'Solid Gold' - which he currently presents every Monday evening, and he loves the cheer that it brings to patients.

Mr Kinch said, “I enjoy music, presenting and the radio. It has always been a big part of my life. Going round the wards to see how people are doing in the hospital is one the best things and receiving nice letters from patients, makes me realise how much the radio station cheers them up.”

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The postman started off playing records on his shows but has since had the opportunity to interview people such as Norman Tebbit, Noel Edmunds and Colin Baker.

He said: “Those were some of the highlights over the years; meeting and talking to celebrities. Noel Edmunds was great fun and we had such a joke.”

Mr Kinch has seen technological changes first-hand as a radio presenter. He went from playing vinyl records to CDs and now uses digital software.

The radio station now broadcasts online too, allowing people from all over the word to listen in and request songs.

He said: “I have no intention of stopping any time soon.”

 

The award was presented to Mr Kinch last month during the radio station’s 40th anniversary celebration.

Representatives from the Hospital Broadcasting Association, the charity that supports over 200 independent hospital broadcasting organisations serving hospitals, hospices and nursing homes in the UK, came to congratulate Mr Kinch and celebrate the radio station.

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Ian Pinnell, the communications executive and trustee of the charity, said: “Long Service awards are all about recognising the dedication and time given to entertain patients in hospital.

“Hospital radio volunteers across the country give up many hours a week and bring smiles to those in hospital, by way of playing their favourite music, or simply having a chat.

"We are grateful for Mr Kinch's many years of service at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio and we're sure there will be many more to come."