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Date: 8 December 2011 Greame Meanley Leaves Radio Warneford Graeme Meanley MBE, Radio Warneford's former Chairman and Life President who died in July 2010, has left the station a substantial legacy in his will. Graeme's widow Joan and son Andrew visited Radio Warneford on 28th November to meet some of the members and present a cheque for £10,000 to the Trustees. Graeme wanted the money to be invested in order to secure Radio Warneford's long-term future with the interest being used to the benefit of the station. Graeme Meanley joined Radio Warneford in its very early days and was instrumental over many years in raising the money needed for the development of the station from a couple of turntables in a basement broom cupboard at the Warneford Hospital in 1974 to its current modern, hi-tech studio complex at Warwick Hospital. He was one of those people who could put you at your ease immediately with a smile and a joke, a task he used to relish on his weekly visit to the ladies of Victoria Ward for the Tuesday night Request Show. As an ex-bank manager, Graeme was an ideal Treasurer and fund raiser, memorably striding down the Parade in Leamington and going into every single shop and business to ask for a donation. During his five-year spell as Chairman, Graeme presided over Radio Warneford's monumental move from its old studio hut in Leamington, home since 1978, to new purpose-built premises at Warwick Hospital - the official opening coincided with another station landmark - its 21st birthday! Graeme's enthusiasm and personality helped him to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charities and organisations with which he was associated. His efforts locally saw him honoured with the Citizen of the Year award. But perhaps Graeme's proudest moment was when his tireless work for charity was recognised in the 1995 Queen's Birthday Honours List in which he was awarded an MBE. Sara Lister, Radio Warneford's current Chairman, said "Radio Warneford was very dear to Graeme's heart - he spent 37 years as a volunteer at the station. In the early days, his enthusiasm, drive and fund raising skills secured Radio Warneford's long-term future and the station was able to develop and prosper under his tenure. Graeme's very generous bequest will help to ensure that Radio Warneford continues to be able to provide comfort and enjoyment to patients in South Warwickshire for many years to come. It was wonderful to see Joan and Andrew and to reminisce about Graeme's sense of fun and his devotion to the station."
The following images are available for download to accompany this News Release:
Issued by Andy Dowell, Communications Manager
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