Kalpna Patel (our Fundraising Manager) and Diane Louise Jordan work together on a BBC Radio 4 Appeal.
Creating a Radio 4 appeal was an exciting yet challenging journey. Once we had the good news of our application being successful our next steps were finding a presenter, writing a script, recording the appeal and finally advertising it.
Finding a presenter wasn’t as hard as I initially thought it would be, maybe I just got lucky! During a monthly staff meeting we started compiling a list of presenters whom would be ideal. Then it was a matter of short listing them to the top three and presenting this to our Board of Trustees who would make the final decision. I was on a serious hunt to track down Diane Louise Jordan’s agent. I went through various contacts and internet research which finally led me to her agent. I had several discussions with the agent and he confirmed that Diane was more then happy to be our presenter. I then booked a recording date with the agent and with the BBC.
Our next important task was composing a script and so scheduled meetings with staff. During our thought showering (brainstorming) meetings we developed our first draft which was sent to the BBC producer. The script went through various stages of drafts with assistance from staff members, our board and the BBC producer who was extremely helpful and patient. The draft was then sent to Diane who added some personal touches and finally brought it all to reality!
We all waited in anticipation for the recording date which finally arrived. Being a big fan of Diane since Blue Peter days I was very nervous and excited to meet her. I met Diane Louise Jordan for the first time at Broadcasting House to record the appeal. She is even nicer in person then when I spoke to her on the phone. We spent about an hour going through the recording process and by the end of it I felt like I knew her all my life. Recording an appeal is a serious issue however we have still managed to have a good giggle.
Leading up to the appeal broadcast was hectic with writing press releases, speaking to press and media organisations and using various methods to spread the word about our appeal. Even though it was challenging they say hard work pays off.
A total of 260 individual donations were made and the total received through the appeal is £6,330.25 as last recorded.
I would like to thank everyone involved in putting this appeal together especially Diane Louise Jordan for giving up her time, all our supporters who listened to the appeal and for all those that kindly sent a donation. Without your contribution and commitment it would not have been a success!
Kalpna Patel
FUNDRAISING MANAGER
kalpna.patel@sicklecellsociety.org
tel no. 0208 961 7795