The 2.5 million listeners of independent radio in Ireland are being urged to tune in to their local radio station at 2.45pm tomorrow to add their voices to the Big Sing 2008.
The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) are lending their support to the Big Sing – an attempt by school children in Ireland and the UK to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest sing a long.
National, local and regional IBI member radio stations across Ireland will play Des’ree’s “You Gotta Be” at 2.45pm, when school children across the UK and Ireland will close their school books and join in the song.
While the primary goal is to get children involved and singing, schools are being asked to consider collecting a euro or more per pupil to benefit two worthy Irish charities – Special Olympics Ireland and the ISPCC Childline Service during the Big Sing.
The broadcasters are encouraging their listeners to tune in, join in and sing out in support of the Big Sing and the charities involved and have been advertising the event for free on their stations this week.
“We want everyone – whether at home, in their car, in school or in the workplace to sing as loud as they can. For five minutes let’s forget all talk of recession and economic downturns and just have fun!”, said Willie O’Reilly, IBI Chairman.
So far over 50,000 Irish students from 339 schools have registered to take part in the Big Sing. And its not too late – any Irish school can register to take part at no cost by logging onto www.irishbigsing.com.
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About the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland
The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) is the representative body for Ireland’s independent commercial broadcasters, both television and radio. The mission of the IBI is to champion the agenda of independent broadcasters in Ireland and to be a distinct and coherent national voice in the ongoing campaign for competitive equality across the sector.
The independent voice of Ireland, over 63% of the population tune into independent radio on a daily basis. This translates into weekday figures of 2,296 million listeners. With more than 1500 people employed in the sector, independent broadcasters make a significant economic, social and cultural contribution to the Irish economy. The IBI represents 2 national radio stations, 4 regional radio stations and 27 local radio stations.
For more information please visit: www.ibiireland.ie
Issued for the IBI by Laurie Mannix, MKC Communications, 01 703 8620.
For information about the Big Sing:
Alicia Lynagh, Unique Group
Phone: 01 822 6600 Mobile: 086 385 8618 Alicia.Lynagh@unique-ent.ie
For information about Special Olympics Ireland:
Anne-Marie Butler, PR & Media Relations Manager, Special Olympics Ireland
Phone: 01 869 1711 Mobile: 086 873 22 34 annemarie.butler@specialolympics.ie
For Information about the ISPCC Childline Service:
Molly Morrison, Director of Fundraising, ISPCC
Phone: 01 676 7960 Mobile: 087 654 7417 mmorrison@ispcc.ie
