Karen’s magic moment up for top radio prize
A North East woman has spoken of her joy after a radio moment that was created with the help of students from Sunderland College has been nominated for an award.
Karen Robson, 56, appealed to BBC Radio Newcastle in October last year for help in recording of ‘Little Girl’, the song that her father, Brian Teasdale Snr, wrote for her when she was just nine months old.
In December last year, Karen heard the recording of Little Girl for the first time after music students at Sunderland College recorded the song in time for Christmas.
Now the moment where Karen, who is from Blaydon, heard the song is up for the Radio Times Moment Of The Year at the 2022 Audio and Radio Industry Awards – competing against BBC Radio 1 and talkSPORT.
Karen expressed her joy at being the only North East entry on the list and described the nomination at the “best moment of her life”.
She said: “To have the song recorded in time for Christmas was an excellent present for my dad but to be nominated just days before his 90th birthday on April 12 is even better.
"It is probably the best moment of both mine and my dad’s life and it is fabulous that my dad has seen this happen before he leaves us.
"Being the only entry from the North East, I would love to win it, not just for me but the entire region as it is a perfect example of never to give up on your dreams so I appreciate anyone who votes for me.”
Brian suffered a brain injury around 10 years ago, leaving him with additional care needs and limited communication.
However, despite this, Karen said she could tell that he was happy at the news.
She added: "When I told my dad, I could see that he was attempting to acknowledge what I was saying to him.
"It is obviously hard for him being brain injured however he is able to open his eyes really wide so that lets me know how much this means to him.”
You can cast your vote for Karen’s radio moment at https://www.radiotimes. com/audio/radio/radio-arias-vote-2022/
Voting will be open on the website until 11.59pm on Sunday, April 24.