Yesterday Christian Radio stations across the country held the annual event called Compassion Day which saw Christian radio stations partner with Compassion Australia to release the world’s poorest children from poverty. This year, 42 Christian broadcasters participated in the event, raising a total of 1,257 child sponsorships nationwide.(the tally continues to rise today, with more flowing in after the day!)

Throughout the day Christian stations broadcast stories from children about the impact sponsorship has on their life. The reality of these changed lives moved many into action, with almost a quarter of the nationwide child sponsorships coming from FM103.2’s Sydney listeners.

Compassion is an international aid organisation with a focus on rescuing the world’s poorest children from spiritual, economic, social, physical and emotional poverty.

Compassion Australia Relationships Department Manager DJ Konz told radioinfo that the success of the day rested on the extraordinary efforts of radio station staff, who threw their whole hearts and souls into the day.

“While the new technology we employed on the day through our website and call centre, plus the enormous efforts of our staff here at Compassion, were core elements of our achievement, without doubt, the most important contributing factors to the phenomenal success of the day were the growth of Christian radio listeners, and the astounding passion, energy and support of the radio station announcers, program managers, admin and support staff in the stations. On air and behind the scenes across the country, individuals went far, far beyond anything anyone could have asked of them to make the day an incredible success.”

Another key to the day’s success, said DJ, was the quality of the material produced by Sheridan Voysey from Fm103.2, and the concept of having the day ‘hosted’ by Compassion-sponsored child, Vaniza Apostol from the Philippines.