Musgrove Hospital Apple FM broadcasters nominated for top awards

Hard-working volunteers at Musgrove Hospital's in-patient radio station, Apple FM, have been nominated for coveted Hospital Broadcast Awards.

The HBA awards select top volunteer presenters from across the country's hospital radio stations and celebrate their excellence in broadcasting.

The Apple FM nominees are Phillip Knighton's Golden Delicious show in the best specialist programme category, Craig Stone and Jason Hayes, for Best Programme with Multiple Presenters and Darren Wood who was nominated for Best Newcomer.

Darren Wood, a 25 year-old porter at Weston General Hospital, spends much of his free time working to promote Apple FM as well as presenting two weekly shows on the station.

Having only worked for the station since July 2012, Darren said he is 'humbled and shocked' to have been nominated for a HBA.

 "I broadcast twice a week, once on a Wednesday, called 'The Evening Beat with Darren Wood', and then again on a Saturday morning with 'The Weekend Beat with Darren Wood,'" he said.

"It was a great shock and was very humbling to be recognised as one of the Best Newcomers. When I look at it it's truly an incredible achievement.

"To think that many famous radio presenters like Scott Mills and Chris Moyles have all started out on Hospital Radio in the past, just puts into perspective what a great resource it is for learning and how much talent comes out of Hospital Radio all across Britain."

"Everyone at Apple FM was thrilled to hear that three of our Shows were shortlisted for this year's HBA awards.

"All of our Volunteer's work very hard not only on air but also preparing the content for all of their shows.

"We broadcast over 113 hours of presenter lead programmes each week," he explained, "77 of those are live from our Musgrove Park Studios.

He added: "Even if we don't win at the ceremony on Saturday all our finalists need to be very proud of the work they do." Jason Freeman, Chairman Apple FM

Darren, Philip, Craig and Jason are up against nine other broadcasters shortlisted in each category.

They will find out if they've won their category at a ceremony in Blackpool this Saturday.

Darren added: "Apple offers a great service to the Taunton community and to the patients of Musgrove Park Hospital. I feel it's really important to give something back.

"We have such a dedicated team here, broadcasting over 113 hours of shows a week. I truly believe you'd be hard pressed to find any other station in Britain that does what we do."

Apple FM will soon be broadcasting to the whole of Taunton, not just Musgrove Hospital, as they are launching their community station very soon on 97.3 FM.