BelfieldFM, UCD’s local digital radio station, hosted its first 24 hour charity event since 2018 on Wednesday, November 9th.
The schedule was packed with BelfieldFM shows, typically spread across the week, into a tight overnight event, beginning at 9am on Wednesday and finishing at 9am Thursday.
The charity was chosen due to the ongoing housing and cost of living crises impacting Dublin, as Peter McVerry is one of the few organisations offering a housing first solution in Ireland. The Trust has reportedly rehoused more homeless individuals than government bodies this past year, and has recently purchased a hostel in Rathmines to be retrofitted into homeless accommodation.
Speaking to the University Observer, Station Manager Aoife Holland had this to say on the choice of charity: “We chose to donate the proceeds of the 2022 Livestream to the Peter McVerry Trust. We felt that with the homelessness statistics reaching over 10k and with the cold, winter months setting in; it was the obvious choice.”
When asked about the outcome of the 24 hour broadcast, which was also live streamed on Twitch, Holland went on to say “We hadn’t held a 24-Hour Livestream since the Spring Semester of 2018, so our expectations were fairly humble. We were blown away when the total amount almost tripled from our 2018 target. We were amazed at the volume of generosity expressed within twenty-fours.”
“We would not have been able to achieve any of it without the continued dedication, enthusiasm, creativity and effort of our members.” said Holland, as a closing remark.
The University Observer participated in the event as part of its weekly show, The Paper Round, co hosted with The College Tribune, which airs on BelfieldFM at 12pm on Wednesday. €11 was raised during the newspapers' slot.