A VOLUNTEER-RUN hospital radio station has been left facing a bill of thousands of pounds after thieves broke into a studio and stole essential equipment.

The committee behind Auckland Hospital Radio, based at Bishop Auckland Hospital, said they have been left heartbroken by the theft of equipment which they used to record events for the enjoyment of bed-bound and seriously ill patients.

Thieves entered the studio, which is in the basement of Bishop Auckland Hospital, sometime overnight on Tuesday, April 24, through a window.

They broke into lockers, causing £200-worth of damage, before making off with the items, worth more than £1,300.

Station chairman Craig Robinson said: “At first, we thought they had just taken a recorder worth £300, but a few days later we were preparing for one of our charity fundraising nights when we found all of our outside broadcasting equipment had been taken as well.

“Thankfully, we managed to scrabble together enough bits and pieces to ensure the night went ahead, but what we raised that night won’t cover even half of what was taken.”

The station has been running since 1978 and its sole purpose is to entertain the patients and staff at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

One of its recent developments is to provide full, live coverage of big events, such as the Auckland Food Festival and Bishop Auckland Proms, for the enjoyment of those in the hospital unable to attend themselves.

Mr Robinson said: “This equipment will all have to be replaced before we can do that again.

“We’re heartbroken. As volunteers we spend our time running the station and raising funds to keep it going, so for someone to come and effectively take all that away is just devastating.”

Police are urging anyone with information on the theft, or who is offered any of the stolen goods, to contact them.

Items stolen included a Zoom H4 digital audio recorder in a box, a Sony MDSJE520 mini-disc recorder, a Siemens Optiset E standard digital telephone and a Sennheiser radio microphone.

Also taken were a Sharp portable minidisc recorder, two Sony portable minidisc recorders, two audio Technica AT804 report microphones and an audio design portable pack.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Jeremy Downing, at Bishop Auckland Police Station, on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.