UK Radio Aid - 2005

It's not often that all commercial radio groups and stations unite. They did on Monday 17 January 2005 for 'UK Radio Aid', raising money for the victims of the Asian Tsunami.

All usual output was dropped in favour of a 12 hour show dedicated to the cause, live from Leicester Square with some regional opt outs. It was aired on 268 radio stations, including the national Classic and Virgin, amassing a potential audience of over 20 m.

Even at such short notice, the programming initiative, chaired by Emap's Mark Story, attracted a variety of names from within the radio industry and impressively beyond. Radio names included Zoe Ball, Mark Goodier, Simon Bates and the return, after his wilderness years, of Chris Evans. This broadcast was to be the toe in the water which helped speed his way to a suitable berth at Radio 2 later in the year. Other names to pitch in on the day included Jamie Cullum, Davina McCall, Frank Skinner, Liam Gallagher, Ricky Gervais, Bryan Adams, Jamelia, David Gray, Ronan Keating, David Walliams, Prince Andrew, Matt Lucas and David Walliams. Paul Weller recorded a version of Beatles classic, 'Come Together', as the theme for the day.

It's estimated the broadcast raised £3m.