The snow is swirling, the darkness is looming, and in a small recording studio at HLK, preparations for the annual Radio K Cares are in full swing. We made our way over to visit Radio K for a chat about this year’s event. What’s it all about, and what’s new?
Radio K is Jönköping University’s student radio association, producing podcasts and radio programs recorded in their own production studio located in HLK. They also organize various events on campus, with their signature yearly event, “Radio K Cares,” being a live broadcast spanning over 36 hours to collect money for Musikhjälpen.
We’re welcomed by an excited although slightly stressed team as we enter the studio. Preparations are approaching the finish line for the broadcast, which will be bigger and better than ever. This year, the event will run from December 7 to 8 with a live stream from Radio K on Twitch for 36 hours and a collaboration with Asecs. Parallel to the broadcast, Asecs will hold their event “Shop Like a Student”, where students can shop at discounted prices – a perfect opportunity for Christmas shopping or treating yourself. When interviewing Radio K they could reveal that the local band Live In Color will be performing during the live broadcast at Asecs, a performance you don’t want to miss! The team hopes that the added segments and activities provided by Asecs will help them reach a new and bigger audience, “The collaboration with Asecs is the big thing this year, it has never happened before!”
As usual, Radio K Cares means live performances, auctions, and entertainment. There’ll be auctions on their website – with some crazy good offers – along with a grand finale in Rio on Friday before Akademien.
“When Asecs closes at 20:00 on Thursday, we will move down to campus and broadcast from Rio through the whole night and then finish on December 8th at 22:00 in Rio.”
On Friday there will be a Christmas market on campus with companies standing outside the library between 11:30 and 14:00. During the event, you can check in with Radio K’s own website and social media to see ongoing auctions which you can bid on. Don’t miss the opportunity to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience! No matter the price, all money earned during the event will go to Radio K’s own collection for Musikhjälpen’s fundraising, where all funds raised will go to this year’s theme “No one should die due to hunger”,
“We’re aiming for 100 000 SEK, and since we’re partnering up with Asecs, we think it’s possible!”
With 16 dedicated members, Radio K has planned to survive the 36 hours in the booth by dividing the schedule, sleeping in intervals, and staying alert with snacks, energy drinks, and pure adrenaline.
“There’s always something happening, so none of us will want to sleep. Even if all members are participating at different times, we still want to catch everything that’s going on.”
Radio K Cares will conclude with an exclusive pre-party at Rio on Friday and Akademien will be open later that night. It will be a “maxed-out” evening, in Radio K’s own words!
In the end, it is not only fun interactive segments, collaborations, and live performances that the members of Radio K are looking forward to:
“Radio K Cares can be a receipt that we are actually contributing to something important. This will be like our own Christmas present for charity. All the hard work we’ve put in will go to a very important cause.”
Make sure to be a part of this year’s Radio K Cares, and keep up with the latest info by following Radio K on their social media channels (@radiokju)!
Writer: Daniella Lubkowitz and Sandra Wikström
