Malcolm's 60-Year Radio Journey: Lifting Spirits

0:0075-year-old Malcolm Kirby just got an MBE for 60 years of spinning tunes on hospital radio in Edinburgh. He's been volunteering at Red Dot Radio since the late 1960s, starting right out of his electrical engineering days at Harriet Watt University. These days, he broadcast weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. reaching patients across city hospitals. He kicked it off through a student TV buddy who ran the station and stuck around fixing gear, building studios, and chatting with folks on the wards. For song requests, even as his engineering career took off, he kept showing up weekly to keep the music flowing. Patients love it, says it lifts their spirits and gives them something to look forward to. During the 2020 lockdown, they went online so families could tune in from home, turning requests into a lifeline when visits stopped. Classics ruled the airwaves from Frank Sinatra to the Proclaimers. This year in 2025, Tina Turner's the best, top the charts, bumping sunshine on leaf.

1:02His team surprised him with the MBE nomination letter dropped through the door, total shock. Nurses are hugging him in the wards now. After six decades, Malcolm's out hanging up the mic anytime soon, and he figures more volunteers could make it even bigger for those who need the boost. That wraps Edinburgh news today. Brought to you with AI.