A HOSPITAL radio station in Gwent is celebrating after being offered a £5,000 grant, which it has been in desperate need of to ensure its survival.

NH Sound, based at the Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, received the conditional offer after appealing their cause to the Big Lottery Fund, with the grant allowing them to make a number of technical improvements.

As part of the station's upgrades, they will be able to complete the work to go from being an AM-only station to also having a presence on the more common FM frequency.

Station manager Pamela Parry, 70, said: “We have been raising money and this greatly helps. We put in the application a month ago and to hear back already is fantastic.

“I have been volunteering and doing shows on the station for four years now, I am not great with technology but I love it now. The money should cover the large cost of going on the FM wave and help us in a few other ways as well, but it’s crucial if we want to reach out to a wider audience and attract more listeners.”

The cost of getting the equipment and the necessary licence costs around £4,000 whilst the station is hoping that it is the best way of increasing the number of people that not only listen but also sponsor through them.

Nick Ramsay, AM for Monmouth, hosts regular shows on the station and Mrs Parry stated his support had been ‘crucial’ for the radio station in its attempts to raise money.

Mr Ramsay, said: “A lot of areas around Abergavenny don’t have any signal at all and the station has huge local support so this has been great news.

“They haven’t been able to convert to FM but have wanted to for a while. Improved equipment and increased coverage is crucial for them in the long term.”

Currently the station, set up in 1979, has seen a rise in its number of regular contributors with around 35 active volunteers and 19 hosting weekly shows.

Ms Parry, added: "I got into volunteering with the station after my husband passed away and I probably spend more time there than at home.

"It’s got a lot better in the last few years as we did have a problem with numbers at one point, but are always looking for new support and help."

A Big Lottery Fund Wales spokesman added: “We are glad to make them this conditional offer and look forward to it being handed over in the coming weeks.”

For more information about the station, visit nhsound.co.uk, email info@nhsound.co.uk or call 01873 732878 or 01873 858633.