This year marks ten years of Bolton FM!

Posted on Thursday 10 January 2019 by James Pilkington

We’ve a lot of achievements to be proud of since our launch on Victoria Square at the One Bolton event on 20th June 2009.

There have been collective awards like the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service; recognition at the Bolton and Bury Business Awards and individual achievements – seeing volunteers progress on to further education or in to the world of work.

The New Year’s Honours saw MBE’s for Bolton FM’s Chairman Andrew Dixon and former Bolton FM volunteer Saeed Atcha.

Andrew received the MBE for his outstanding contribution to business in Bolton and services to the wider Bolton community and quality of public life. After founding the award-winning St Andrews Travel in 1983 and running it for 25 years, he wanted to give something back to the town of Bolton. He does this in many ways, most notably through the Bolton Lads and Girls Club and Bolton FM being a founder and now Chairman of the station.

Saeed volunteered with Bolton FM for a couple of years and amongst many things opened his A-Level results live on air 2013. Saeed received his MBE for services to young people and the community in Greater Manchester. He’s the founder and Chief Executive of Xplode Magazine which helps young people in Greater Manchester through volunteering, jobs and skills training.

As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations we’re looking to take part in various challenges for local charities. Keith Harris our Business Manager is taking part in Bolton Hospice’s ‘Biggest Loser’ while Vicky Hawksworth is taking part in ‘Strictly Learn to Dance’.

As a Community Radio station we’re immensely proud of all of them.