Academy FM is bidding to bag a cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme.
Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores.
Three community groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.
Academy FM is one of the groups on the shortlist.
The radio station offers local charities a free platform to advertise their events and invites organisations into the studios to talk about the work they do and the facilities and support they offer the community.
Academy FM also delivers daily shows, a mixture of music, local what’s on, interviews, local traffic and travel and weather.
They also offer training for people of all ages and abilities in radio production and presenting.
The station relies on donations and funding from local businesses to stay on air. For training they have to make grant applications. They are hoping that funding from Tesco will mean this can continue and will give the opportunity to take the training out into the community, to organisations and groups who are unable to come to the station. To do this Academy FM needs to raise funds for a vehicle and portable equipment.
Presenter Debbie Day said: “Academy FM is a truly local radio station for Thanet. Our aim is to broadcast local news, events, interviews, competitions coupled with some great music. We also give people from the local community the opportunity to train to be presenters and news readers, and most importantly we give Thanet a voice within the community.”
Voting is open in all Tesco stores throughout March and April. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.
Academy FM can be voted for at the Tesco Westwood store and Broadstairs Metro in the High Street,
Funding is available to community groups and charities running local projects that bring benefits to communities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.