The programme follows the highly successful Radiothon
Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 26, 2022
Listeners of Humm FM Radio Station in Auckland will have an opportunity to start the New Year with a cash award of $500, which can be won at the Station’s ‘Final Countdown 2022,’ scheduled to be held from midday on December 31, 2022.
According to an announcement from the company, Humm 104.2 FM is the only Bollywood FM Radio Station in New Zealand playing Bollywood’s biggest hits round-the-clock.
“The Radio Station streams on ROVA, which can be downloaded to iPhone (Apple Store) or Android (Google Play Store). The Final Countdown programme on December 31, 2022, will feature albums, web series and Bollywood’s ‘Absolute Top 100 Hits of the Year.’ Listeners will be requested to answer a simple question by the Programme Presenter of each show. Answers should be sent by Text to 5599 using the keyword FC. Those with the correct answers will go into a draw to win $500 cash. Terms and Conditions will apply,” the notification said.
Humm Christmas 48 Hours Radiothon 2022
The end-of-the-year curtain call comes on the heels of the ‘Humm Christmas for Kids 48 Hours Radiothon,’ which Humm FM conducted earlier this month to herald the spirit of Christmas and with it love, care and share.
Content Director Vijay Varma and Assistant Content Director Sandy Sekhon, who are both radio hosts, were on air nonstop for 48 hours from midday on December 8, 2022, and when they completed the marathon run on December 10, 2022, they not only brought goodwill from thousands of listeners but also their gifts to the less fortunate children across communities.
Vijay and Sandy said that Humm FM launched the ‘Christmas for Kids Radiothon’ in 2015 and that over the eight years, the programme has gathered huge momentum.
“In 2020, more than 1000 listeners visited our Station and donated more than 20,000 pieces of gifts which were distributed to needy children and their families through Auckland City Mission.
Last year, because of Covid-19 restrictions, we raised cash donations totalling $112,000 to purchase food hampers for poor children,” they said.
Those figures were easily surpassed this year. Humm FM Radio Station, which is now a part of Media Works located at 17 Hargreaves Street in Freemans Bay in Auckland’s Central Business District, was a beehive of activity during the two days of Radiothon.
With thousands of toys, stationery, non-perishable food items and various other gifts, the precincts resembled a large retail store, offering discounts for Christmas.
Inspiration and gratification
Kashika Singh, the indefatigable Sales and Promotions Director and Stutie (Junoo) Sharma, the gumptious Promotions and Digital Manager and Announcer at Media Works were justifiably proud of the achievements of Humm FM at this year’s event.
“We are gratified that the Humm FM Radiothon continues to inspire thousands of our listeners, encouraging them to offer thousands of gifts to children in need. This year, Auckland City Mission Fundraising and Reputations Manager Deborah Ward arranged for the transportation of trucks loaded with gifts for their ultimate destination- poor families,” they said.
Going without sleep for two days and nights is nothing new for Vijay and Sandy.
“The thought that thousands of children can enjoy the gifts, and the satisfaction that their parents would derive are motivational, added to which is the generosity demonstrated by our ethnic communities year after year,” they said.
Sandy said that bringing smiles to the face of the unfortunate children at least during Christmas, the season for giving, keeps her, Vijay and the Radio Station humming with expectation for the next Radiothon.
Awaiting the event in 2023
“It is times like these that make us realise what a great team we have at Humm FM and now being a part of the larger network of Media Works is even more enterprising. The ‘Humm Christmas for Kids 48 Hours Radiothon’ has become a great event that brings out the magnanimity of our people. Our listeners and supporters donate generously to the cause. They are in fact the Silent and Secret Santa Claus to the poor children. The Radiothon has become a tradition in the community and our way of Thanksgiving,” Vijay said.
As well as offering gifts, listeners shared fabulous Christmas stories, invoking the spirit of giving, and reinforcing their belief that helping needy children celebrate is one of the significant methods of community service. Parents visited Humm FM with children, who were thrilled to be someone’s Secret Santa.
If the team at Humm FM cannot wait for ‘Christmas for Kids Radiothon 2023,’ they cannot be blamed. For, the event, getting bigger and better, evokes the compassion of people.
