MAGNIFICENT - that was the response to an appeal launched in the Journal last week as we revealed that Evesham Hospital radio needed to raise £500 in less than three weeks to stay on the air.

It didn't take nearly that long - in just 24 hours no fewer than five offers to pay the full amount were telephoned into the Journal office.

And many others offered to pay sums varying from £10 to £100 "to help them keep going."

Station manager Martin Brain was staggered by the response.

"It's been absolutely magnificent," he said. "People have been so generous. We are very grateful to all of them."

The appeal was launched after it was discovered the radio station, which has been keeping patients occupied at weekends since 1973, did not have the appropriate licences - and were given just three weeks to pay the £477 plus VAT to stay on the airwaves until the end of the year.

The first to respond to the appeal was Bob New, proprietor of Campion & New funeral directors of Bewdley Street, who said: "This must never be allowed to happen.

"The radio station plays an important role in the life of the hospital and it could not be allowed just to disappear."

George Simpson, managing director of Throckmorton-based Marshalls Transport, was another to offer the full amount.

The company played a leading role in the fight to save the hospital from closure three years ago and Mr Simpson said: "I have been in hospital once or twice and the radio is just something that helps to keep people going."

Fiona George, a director of AMS Recycling, was another who rang up to offer the £500. She said: "My brother-in-law recently spent a considerable amount of time in there. Without communication, there is very little contact with the outside world. The radio was a big help."

Local resident Jackie Bille insisted she would give the money anyway, to pay for the cost of a licence for next year.

She said: "Both of my parents, Doris and Robert Kent, died in the hospital, my father in 1992 and my mother in 2003.

"We were delighted with the care and treatment they received and would like to show our appreciation by giving the money anyway."

John Jenkinson, owner of the Evesham Hotel, was another who rang in to offer the whole amount, said: "I have never been in there myself but one of our retired staff is a patient there at the moment.

"I immediately thought of Chrissie and thought what a good job the radio station must do for patients."

Mayor Alan Booth, who had backed the Journal's campaign, said: "I am delighted to hear that the radio station is safe. It will make a lot of people very happy."