The annual Hospital Broadcasting Association awards are the Oscars for hospital radio stations. This year’s winners were announced at Hinckley, Leicestershire on April 5. Like the Olympics, there are gold, silver and bronze levels.

CHBN, Truro's Community and Hospital Radio Station, submitted five entries which were all shortlisted in the top 10. Richard Edoki was a contender in the Best Newcomer category with his African Vibe while, closer to home, Viki Carpenter presents Access Cornwall, offering advice and support to anyone with physical or mental health issues.

An entry for Station of the Year is automatic, and for Best Station Promotion we put forward the Listen Again link recently added to our website.

Our Best Special Event entry was Jeff Jacobs' coverage of The Cornwall 500, which Steven Webb travel an arduous 500 miles through the Duchy in his electric wheelchair to raise funds for a second Cornwall Air Ambulance. Jeff checked in with him regularly to report on his progress.

Hopes were high for another trophy to add to the nine we have in our studios - but it was not to be. Richard and Jeff were content with a special mention for fifth place in their categories. The judges declared that “the standard of entries was particularly high this year”.

Moving on, we’re looking forward to Volunteers Week at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. There will be a volunteer information stand on Lemon Quay on Sunday, June 1, and for the rest of the week, various charities based in the Royal Cornwall Hospital will be showcasing their work. There will be information displays in Trelawney Reception.

On Tuesday, June 3, and Thursday, June 5, CHBN will hold ‘open studios’ in the Tower Block basement. Please pay us a visit to see our state-of-the-art digital broadcasting equipment and hear our volunteers in action. You may be inspired to join us.