Sparkies bring back gold to Sunderland

Published on 26, November, 2024

On the biggest night of student radio, volunteers at Spark, the University of Sunderland’s student-led community radio station, won six awards at this year’s national Student Radio Awards (SRAs).

The awards have taken place since 1995 and celebrates the talent and contributions made by those in the student radio community.

Students from across the country gathered at the O2 Indigo in London on Tuesday 19 November, waiting to see if they won bronze, silver or gold across multiple categories.

Hundreds of students were joined by some of the biggest names in the radio industry, who not only judged the awards but hosted them as well.

This year, Sparkies brought back to Sunderland:

Gold – Best Specialist Music Programming: Rainbow R!ot

Gold – Best Creative Speech Programming: Glass Children

Gold – Best Entertainment Programming: All Things Alt

Silver – The Joe Lyons Award for Best Producer: Rollie Joe Carney

Silver – Best Specialist Music Programming: All Things Alt

Bronze – Kevin Greening Award for Creativity: Rainbow R!to

Megan Percival, host of All Things Alt and Rainbow R!ot who studied Radio, Audio and Podcasting at the University, said: “I’m over the moon to have been recognised for my work while on Spark. It still hasn’t fully sunk in yet.

“The team at Spark and the University as a whole have been incredible in their support of me in every area. I hope this win can serve as inspiration to students and Sparkies to come that with hard work and dedication, the sky really is the limit.

“I look forward to seeing where the future takes me, but a bit of my heart will always be in Wearside.”

Rollie Joe Carney, who also studied Radio, Audio and Podcasting, said: “I’m still in half shock that I won the Silver for best producer. To be named the second-best producer in the country is massive not just for my CV, but as vindication that I was right to retrain in a new field at the age of 31.

“I’d like to thank my Spark colleagues and my lecturers for all their help over the past 12 months.”

Bobbi Bunker, creator of Glass Children who studied Media Production, said: “After being a part of Spark for the entirety of my degree, it was great to see my work recognised by the SRA and those in the radio industry.

“I’m happy to say I started my first full-time role in radio this week only a few months after graduating, cementing how great Spark is for budding radio presenters.”

Since graduating, Bobbi has secured a job at BFBS Radio as a regular presenter on the station’s afternoon show.

Dr Richard Berry, Spark Station Manager and Lecturer at the University of Sunderland, said: “This is an incredible haul of accolades for our amazing graduates. We all know just how hard the students at Spark work and for this to be recognised by panels of industry experts is validation of that.”

If you are interested in studying Radio, Audio and Podcasting at the University of Sunderland, find out more here.

And if you want to check out the Spark Studios, join us at one of our open days. You can book your place here.

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