Christmas radio station to shine light on urgent kids appeal

Back by popular demand, Downtown Radio is flipping to full-on festive fun this Christmas, but ONE WEEK earlier for a very special cause.

We’re shining a light on rising child poverty levels across Northern Ireland, supporting Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal.

By donating a gift, listeners can help ensure that no child in Northern Ireland goes without on Christmas morning. For more information on how to donate, visit downtown.co.uk/mission.

With one month to go until Christmas Day, Downtown Radio is kicking off the season in style by switching to 100% Christmas music on Monday 25th November at 8am, in partnership with Ballymena BID.

From your holiday classics to modern festive hits, Downtown Radio will be your soundtrack for trimming the tree, wrapping gifts, or hitting the shops for those last minute bits.

Content Director Stuart Robinson said;

“This is now the 5th year of switching over Downtown to 100% Christmas music and every year it gets more and more popular. It is an amazing privilege for our team at Downtown that so many of our listeners tune in and allow us to be the soundtrack to their families Christmas every year. Gary and Glen will launch the station at 8am on Monday 25th November and will then head across the country after the show to give away free presents for lucky listeners who track the pair down”.

“Christmas can also be a difficult time for many of our listeners and this year we are shining an even brighter light on child poverty in Northern Ireland by launching Downtown Christmas a full month before Christmas day. With the troubling news that 25% of kids are now living in poverty here compared to 20% last year we wanted to spend even more time to focus on our Cash for Kids Mission Christmas Toy Appeal to ensure no child in Northern Ireland goes without on Christmas morning .”

“Last year our appeal supported 20,000 kids here and this year we know the demand will be even bigger – so along with launching Downtown Christmas one week earlier than normal , we will also be taking our listeners on “The Journey of the Gift” across 12 days in December to highlight how the simple gift of giving can ultimately have an enormous impact on struggling families in Northern Ireland”.

Cash for Kids Charity Manager, Clare McGimpsey explains that; “Local families are feeling the pinch more than ever right now, with some struggling to cope in the face of extreme financial hardship. Christmas presents are often a luxury they simply can’t afford.

“Every single donation we receive makes a difference, and no donation is too small. We urge our supporters to dig deep and donate what they can. We always struggle with gifts for teenagers, who are often forgotten at Christmas, with a real gap in gifts donated for boys. Gifts such as headphones, Bluetooth speakers, hot water bottles, boardgames, crafts, puzzles, footballs and un-sized clothing like beanies and sports socks are great options.”

How to listen to non-stop Christmas music on Downtown Radio:

📱 Download the FREE Downtown App–Apple iPhone or Google Play Store

🔊 Ask your smart speaker to “play Downtown Radio”

📻 On Your Radio

Belfast, Holywood, Newtownabbey & Carrickfergus - 103.4FM

North West - 102.4FM

The West - 96.6FM

Causeway Coast - 96.4FM

South Down - 103.1FM

Mid Antrim - 102.3FM

Newcastle - 103.4FM

Larne - 97.1FM

• downtown christmas