CamFM’s world record breaking Studio Launch at Anglia Ruskin
Cam FM is a Community Radio station for members and alumni of Anglia Ruskin and Cambridge Universities, featuring programmes professionally produced and presented by university members. After months of hard work and collaboration between the University, Students’ Union and CamFM Committee members, a brand new studio has opened in Bryant Building on Anglia Ruskin’s Cambridge campus making CamFM the only student radio station in the country to boast studios on two separate sites.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, a launch event was announced that would see Cam FM’s ARU Liaison officer, Harry Smy and Station Manager, Ben Weisz make an ambitious attempt to break the world record for the longest team radio broadcast, a record that previously stood at 73 hours. They also seized the opportunity to give to charity as the annual BBC Children in Need appeal coincided with the launch and Harry and Ben felt it a worthy recipient supporting such a wide range of causes.
The broadcast began at 10am on Wednesday 14th November and included regular shows as well as many impromptu contributions including students and both Students’ Union Experience Officers enduring leg and chest waxing, an appearance from Children in Need mascot Pudsey Bear, Anglia Ruskin Student, Adam Marsh running around campus with fellow students to raise £300 in just 45 minutes and local MP Julian Huppert donning a pair of Pudsey ears. Despite the effects of sleep deprivation, Ben and Harry were kept in good spirits throughout the final night with a committee slumber party and spontaneous acapella vocal performances.
The pair finally hung up their headphones at 2pm on Saturday 17th November having spent an unfathomable 76 hours on air!
Their attempt is currently being verified by Guinness World Records and it is hoped that the world record can officially be announced in the New Year.
The Cam FM team plan to capitalise on their event’s success with big plans for the New Year and hope to welcome many more Anglia Ruskin students to the Cam FM family, furthering their aim to serve both Anglia Ruskin and Cambridge Universities equally.
At the time of writing the Marathon Broadcast had raised £2,845 and you can still support their fundraising effort by donating to Children in Need online here.
You can listen to Cam FM on 97.2FM in the Cambridge area or online. If you're intersted in becoming more involved in student radio, you can sign up for studio training here.