A GROUP of die-hard radio fans are taking part in a mammoth broadcast to raise money for charities across the county.

Winchester University students are certain to go radio gaga as they begin their 24-hour week-long radio show in a bid to raise cash for good causes.

The seven pairs from Sound Radio have been busy raising awareness of their ambitious plans to stay awake and entertaining for 24 hours straight - the first of which began today.

It is the first time ever the group have embarked on a challenge of this scale.

They will be on air for a total of 168 hours, after they kicked off at 11am and will continue until 11am on Friday.

Organiser Ryan McAndrew and Lauren Clarke will begin their show to raise money for Enham Trust in Andover and will be followed by Laura Harding and Mike Watkins for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

Liam Rhodes and Rhys Goodfellow are raising for the Penguin Ward of Great Ormand Street Hospital and Woody Reeves and Alastair Hodges are raising cash for the Youth Music Children’s Charity.

Winchester’s own Naomi House will get their cash boost from Nadidja Parker and Hattie Waldron’s session, Nordoff Robbins is the charity of choice for presenters Tali Atvar and Ellie Bennett, and then Catherine Tully and Florence Moffat will finish off to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Mr McAndrew said: “Last year the society raised £1,000 for meningitis but they just did 24 hours so this year we want to up the ante and get as much cash as we can.

“I think students have got a bit of a bad reputation recently with reports of Stanmore,” he added. “I want people to know there are students doing good and most of what we’re doing is to help local charities.

“As little or as much as anyone can give would be amazing.”

For more information visit facebook.com/SoundRadioWinch.