COMMUNITY figures have backed a campaign to save a much-loved radio station threatened with closure because of a massive deficit.

Donations have flooded in to a fundraiser dedicated to plugging a £30,000 hole in Sunny Govan Radio’s bank account.

As we reported last month, the station has been devastated by the pandemic and listeners have backed the campaign to keep it on the airwaves.

Annie Wells, the Conservative MSP for Glasgow, is the latest figure to voice support for the South Side community station.

She said: “Sunny Govan Radio is at the heart of the community and has provided consistently excellent broadcasts for over two decades.

“Like so many industries and organisations they have been devastated by the pandemic.

“I am delighted to support this critical fundraising effort and would encourage people across the city and beyond to do so as well.

“The efforts by volunteers to broadcast Sunny Govan Radio all year round showcases the very best of the spirit the people of Glasgow have in abundance and it would be incredibly sad if they couldn’t continue.

“Times are tough but if you can spare anything at all, I hope you can donate to the fundraising efforts to save this much-loved radio station.”

When we first revealed the dire state of the station’s finance, the pot to keep it open had received £1690 from generous donors. That has now swelled to £9015.

Darren McGarvey, the Glasgow-born rapper and author, described the station as a “gem of an institution”.

He added: “Sunny Govan don’t just broadcast amazing radio, presented by local people and featuring local artists, they are a cornerstone of what is arguably Scotland’s most historically significant working-class community.

“It also offers an open door, drop-in environment for people looking for something to do. Some of my radio appearances were guest slots I was given as a young artist.”

The SNP councillor Mhairi Hunter also urged fellow Glaswegians to dig deep to support the station.

She said: “Sunny Govan Radio is an absolute institution. It would be awful if it was lost.”