Award-winning radio star sets up her own Harborough station to boost morale amid the Covid-19 pandemic

An award-winning radio star has set up her own all-singing, all-dancing Harborough station to boost morale amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sandy Iliff is doing her bit to put a smile on people’s faces and a new spring in their step deep into the challenging three-month coronavirus lockdown.

She has launched the internet-based DanceQuestRadio beaming out across the UK and criss-crossing the world from her home in Tilton on the Hill.

Sandy, who’s also a professional dancer, broke off from entertaining her growing band of fans to tell the Harborough Mail: “I went live on air on May 1 and it’s going down an absolute storm.

“I am looking after my elderly father here so I know that so many people out there are going through a tough time.

“People have said to me that I’m lifting people’s morale as radio did for millions in Britain during the Second World War.

“And that’s exactly what I want to do – make people feel better and happier.”

Born and bred in Leicestershire, she cut her teeth in hospital radio at the Leicester Royal Infirmary 19 years ago.

“I was thrilled to be crowned female presenter of the year in 2007 at the National Hospital Broadcasting awards.

“I went on to do big headline radio shows on community radio all over Leicestershire,” said Sandy.

“So I was sitting here at home one day wondering what I could do for the amazing community here in Harborough.

“There are so many Good Samaritans doing so many good things that I knew I could step up and help.

“So I dug out my old desk, mic, computer and headphones and connected up to the Shoutcast broadcasting platform.

“I am taking poignant requests all week long from local listeners who have husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and friends working for the NHS.

“They are desperate to send out a heartfelt message and play their all-time favourite track for their loved ones risking their lives in the frontline.

“People are asking me to spin records for their nearest and dearest at hospitals in Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Essex and all across the country.

“It’s so humbling because we have a loyal army of listeners tuning in from all over the world,” said Sandy, who’s also a professional voice-over artist, actress and singer.

“I am the listener’s friend – and I am there for them in these extraordinary days.

“I run a live show from 7pm-10pm every Friday night.

“And I put out the recorded version at the same time on a Saturday night.”

Big-hearted Sandy’s also hoping to stage a dedicated one-hour show for elderly residents at Lenthall House care home off Western Avenue, Market Harborough.

“They asked me if I’ve got Vera Lynn’s records and I have so they are keen to do it!

“I’d like to do it soon to give them all a boost at a terrible time when they’ve not been able to see their families,” said larger-than-life Sandy, known as the Mad Blonde.

“I’ve been knocked out by the massive positive reaction I’ve had and I’m just so glad that I’ve got this rocking and rolling.”

If you would like to tune in and listen or make a request then visit Sandy’s special DanceQuestRadio website here:

https://dancequestradio.com/