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Isle Of Wight Radio Director Awarded OBE

An Isle of Wight Radio Director has been awarded an OBE for his commitment and work within the radio industry.

Hedley Finn is the founder of Radio Lollipop International, whose volunteers provide care, comfort, play and entertainment for sick children in hospitals.

Mr Finn, well-known within the business industry on the Island, is also a director at Isle of Wight Radio.

Mr Finn was awarded an MBE for his services to charity in 1992 - and now this latest honour comes for his work in developing the service to 36 hospitals across five countries - Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA and the UK. Radio Lollipop has studios in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton and London.

Mr Finn said:

"For more than 40 years our volunteers have empowered children in hospital. They can’t choose what to eat or whether or not to take their medicine, but they can choose their favourite song or which game they’d like to play.

"We know our unique combination of music, play and engagement has a profoundly positive benefit in the healing and recovery of sick children. In that time we have worked with over 10 million children and changed many lives."

Mr Finn Is also a director of The Local Media Network, Care Radio and LifeTime Radio - a new project working to improve the lives of people living with dementia in acute hospital settings.

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