A Northern Ireland radio station is to throw out its usual playlist for an entire month to help shine a light on rising child poverty levels across Northern Ireland.
Downtown Radio will be ‘pressing play’ on the ultimate ‘sleighlist’ – changing its entire format to an ‘all Christmas music station’ from 8am this Thursday 1st December until Boxing Day.
From Wham to Cliff and Shakin’ Stephens to the Pogues, Station bosses hope the dramatic change of playlist will spread Christmas cheer across the airwaves and ultimately tap into the generosity of the Northern Ireland public.
Downtown ‘s Content Director Stuart Robinson said:
“It’s a shocking fact that some children will wake up on Christmas morning with nothing under the tree and with families feeling the pinch more than ever in light of the cost-of-living crisis, this is our way of placing a major focus on the plight facing many families across Northern Ireland this winter.
“As Downtown’s music format changes to all Christmas music, our busy Downtown Cash for Kids ‘Mission Christmas’ elf’s will be hard at work in our huge Belfast warehouse taking delivery of thousands and thousands of gifted toys from our listeners – already our onair appeal has been inundated with pleas for support from local Charites, social workers, teachers and other front-line services to support the families they work with”.
With 1 in 4 children now living in poverty in Northern Ireland’s - Downtown’s Mission Christmas appeal is needed this year more than ever and the public are being asked to support in anyway they can.
Downtown’s Cash for Kids Charity Manager, Lauren Baxter, explains:
“Every single donation makes a difference, and we are urging people to dig deep and donate what they can. Downtown switch to all Christmas music will certainly keep our busy team dancing and motivated around the toy warehouse, so we hope the Christmas cheer from the music will be contagious and listeners will get involved throughout December”.
So no mater if you are decorating the tree, Christmas shopping, driving home for Christmas or just sat in the office counting down the days until you can put on your out-of-office, Downtown Christmas will be providing the perfect festive soundtrack to Northern Ireland’s Christmas festivities.
Downtown breakfast presenter’s Gary and Glen will push Santa’s big red button and bring Downtown Christmas to Northern Ireland’s airwaves this Thursday 1st December form 8am.
Listeners can support the appeal by dropping toys and gifts off at any Harry Corry store across Northern Ireland plus there is a full list of all drop-off points on Downtown’s website . The very last day to drop your gift off is Monday 19th December.
There is also the option to support the appeal by purchasing a gift online at:
How to listen to Downtown Christmas:
Download the FREE Downtown App and take us on the go
Ask your smart speaker to ‘play Downtown Radio’
Online via downtown.co.uk
On your radio, DAB, FM and 1026AM
Listen on 103.4FM in the Belfast area