A hospital radio station is worried about its future after the room it broadcasts from has still not been fixed after a water leak.
The Jumbo Sound, which broadcasts to patients, visitors and staff at Goodmayes Hospital, Barley Lane, has been unable to use its studio since a radiator burst causing damage to the room and equipment more than two months ago.
The station said North East London NHS Foundation Trust (Nelft) agreed to fix the ceiling, but repairs have still not been completed.
Presenter Martin Levin said: “They have fixed about a quarter of it, but there have been delays due to staffing over Christmas.
“It’s also taken longer as the ceiling is quite high and they needed to get in the right ladders.
“It will need to be painted after, but it has taken so long to get this far that we might get all the presenters to do it ourselves.”
But Martin said Nelft would not be replacing the carpet which was damaged in the leak.
The self-funded station – run by volunteers – is now appealing for help from the community.
Martin said: “The carpet is so threadbare you can nearly see Australia.
“The room isn’t big and we would be really grateful if someone could donate a carpet or an off-cut that would fit it.”
The Jumbo Sound has been forced to transmit pre-recorded material, apart from a one-off joint live show with Bedrock Radio at Queen’s Hospital, Romford.
“It is a part of our charter to broadcast live to the patients and staff, so it is worrying that we can’t,” said Martin. “The station gives so much to people, but the building we broadcast from is in a bad state – they are repairing bits of it but we don’t know if we will have a space in the future.”
Patron Barry Cryer will also host a comedy show later at Jo Richardson School, Dagenham, on February 19 from 7.30pm to raise funds.
Nelft had not responded to the Recorder’s requests for comment at the time of going to press.
Visit thejumbosound.com or call 020 8215 8620
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