DCU’s Media Production Society (MPS) have spent months in preparation for the DCUtv 24 Hour Broadcast, beginning on November 30th, which will see students broadcasting 24 hours of original content in aid of the charity, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie.
The charity provides practical and financial support to children who are suffering from cancer and their families. Jimmy Norman and Mick Rochford set up the charity in 2010 after Norman’s daughter, Aoibheann, passed away from cancer at eight years old.
Norman said he was thrilled with the support from the DCU students. “It is a real privilege for Aoibheann’s Pink Tie to be included in the event,” he said. “Aoibheann’s Pink Tie was set up to help fight cancer, everyone who joins in joins to help that fight.”
DCUtv Manager Ross McCarney said that they have set a target of €7,000 that they hope to raise for the charity. “In previous years we have raised upwards of €10,000 for various charities through online donations and fundraising,” he said.
“It is important to choose a charity as the broadcast is a huge event and has the ability to raise a lot of money which can help out individuals and the charity itself and make a big difference,” said MPS chairperson Hannah Gallagher.
Deputy DCUtv Manager Eoin Cooke said that “the broadcast wouldn’t be half as notable or memorable if you weren’t aiming to help as many people as you can”.
It’s a “great way to get involved in DCUtv… and to express your own creativity and just get stuff made,” said Cooke.
Gallagher expects “amazing, clever, creative content” to be produced over the weekend.
The broadcast offers an opportunity for MPS members to do what they enjoy, for a good cause, said McCarney. “We are lucky to be in a situation where we have the equipment and facilities to do what we love.”
Members get to “do what they’re passionate about all in the name of an amazing charity,” he added. “We hope to use our passion for creativity to create some entertaining content and hopefully make a difference for an incredible charity.”
Co-Founder of the charity, Norman told the College View how important it was for young people to get involved in their work:
“Yous are the future, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie is not going to be run by ‘fuddy duddies’ like me forever”.
He mentioned the important sentiment of the hashtag he started, #FightLikeAChild, hoping it will be used during the broadcast to spread the message of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie.
The broadcast will take place from 9pm on Friday, November 30th, until 9pm on Saturday. Links to the broadcast will be found on the society’s Facebook page and donations can be made to Aoibheann’s Pink Tie online and over the phone.
Róisín Phelan
Image Credit: Leanne Hanafin