Volunteers Week: Meet more of our fantastic Beyond Radio volunteers

We are profiling some of the amazing Beyond Radio volunteers to celebrate the national Volunteers Week!

Here are four more of the amazing volunteers who are part of the Beyond Radio team.

Let's find out more about them!

VANESSA RAMSDEN

Host of The Random Show on Wednesday nights and also our resident Bear Keeper!

WHEN DID YOU START WITH BEYOND RADIO?

Signed up in April 2021 but only started in October 2021 due to having Covid

TELL US ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOURSELF

I sometimes pre-Covid ballroom dance with Roy Walker of Catchphrase fame!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BEYOND RADIO?

Sewing! And family. Since being laid up for ages with Covid I became addicted to the Great British Sewing Bee and I started building my stash which has become such an addiction that I have outgrown the cupboard I had and have had to build a summer house in the garden!

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING PART OF BEYOND RADIO?

I love being on radio. I have done it for around four years, I love bringing new and old music to people and getting their responses. I adore meeting people and love the outdoor interactions with the listeners on special days!

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AS A VOLUNTEER WITH BEYOND RADIO?

Too many to count but escorting Beyond Bear around and seeing all the wonder on the children's faces is fab. Also interviewing bands as they come off stage!

IF YOU COULD PLAY JUST ONE SONG ON BEYOND RADIO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Oh my, how can you ask that? I couldn't choose!
For my Latin weeks I always start with Jennifer Lopez 'Let's Get Loud' to get the vibe going. Billy Ocean is a favourite and I am going to see him next year in Blackpool, also Gary Numan who I am seeing at the end of April and Rufus Wainwright who I have seen a few times. I love all music!

LUKE EDMONDSON

WHEN DID YOU START WITH BEYOND RADIO?

July 2018

TELL ME ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOURSELF:

You never see Luke with Beyond Bear? Strange or maybe I'm looking too much in to it!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BEYOND RADIO?

I love anything tech that I can get my hands on! 

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING PART OF BEYOND RADIO?

We're one big family.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AS A VOLUNTEER WITH BEYOND RADIO?

Being able to attend the Queens Award Event with Beyond Radio to collect the award!

IF YOU COULD PLAY JUST ONE SONG ON BEYOND RADIO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

WAP By Cardi B...but I think our station MD might have something to say to me about this if it was played! 

PAUL WHITEHOUSE

Host of The Friends in Low Places country music show on Sundays

(Pictured here at the Beyond Radio Volunteer Awards in 2020 with our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Duncan Moore)

WHEN DID YOU START WITH BEYOND RADIO?

My first show was at 6pm on August 14 2016.

TELL ME ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOURSELF:

I once had to help form a human chain around Sir Cliff Richard's car to protect him from fans after a concert. I've been informed that I tell this story far too often!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BEYOND RADIO?

I watch quite a lot of films. In the last few years I've started keeping lists of what I've seen. I've seen Jaws more times than you might consider normal.

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING PART OF BEYOND RADIO?

I love being part of the team at Beyond as it's introduced me to loads of great people, I feel really supported there, and a part of something important to the local area. They also allow me to share fantastic country music with the good people of North Lancashire!

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AS A VOLUNTEER WITH BEYOND RADIO?

Doing the show live from a bus at the Morecambe Carnival was really good fun, and on a personal note probably being awarded the 'volunteers choice favourite specialist music show' award at our awards night, to get that from the all the other volunteers was a real honour.

IF YOU COULD PLAY JUST ONE SONG ON BEYOND RADIO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

That's like asking me to pick a favourite child. Maybe Kris Kristofferson's version of 'Sunday Morning Coming Down'. Brilliant lyrics from the greatest country song writer of all time. My favourite of my two children by the way is....

MAT COOK

Host of Mat Cook's Quizzical on Monday nights:

WHEN DID YOU START WITH BEYOND RADIO?

Just before it turned one year old, helping then ended up running the sport show on a Sunday. 

TELL ME ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT YOURSELF:

I have played county in six different sports! 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT VOLUNTEERING WITH BEYOND RADIO?

I'm a teacher and family man to two children.

WHY DO YOU LOVE BEING PART OF BEYOND RADIO?

It's like an extended family and helping out in the wonderful community. 

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT AS A VOLUNTEER WITH BEYOND RADIO?

Seeing Corey develop from when I was in his class to the person he is now on the radio show. 

IF YOU COULD PLAY JUST ONE SONG ON BEYOND RADIO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Beautiful Day - U2 apparently!