KUALA LUMPUR: Three radio stations will be raising funds today for four children who need heart surgery.

The Nadi 1Malaysia project by ERA, MY FM and THR Raaga will run from 6am to 6pm. Listeners can call in or email a song request and make a pledge to help raise the RM135,000 needed for the children to have their operations.

ERA programme manager Nazri Noran said the project came about after radio announcers and programme managers of the three radio stations read the appeal on behalf of the four children, aged 3 months to 3 years, in the New Straits Times.

"We are touched and would like to help them. The announcers are very excited to raise funds for them."

He said many companies had contacted the radio station, eager to donate to the cause after an announcement was made yesterday.

Aznil Nawawi, Riuh Pagi ERA announcer and television host, said he believed ERA listeners were generous and would gladly contribute.

"I know there are many generous Malaysians. If we could donate to help typhoon or earthquake victims in other countries, we should also help families in need in our country," he said.

Aanantha and Uthaya, of THR Raaga's Breakfast Show, have planned something fun.

"Instead of requesting songs, callers can ask us to perform a task, but they must pledge money in return. For instance, they could ask us to do a Bharatanatyam pose or the splits, and watch us on the website."

MY FM announcer Jack Lim hopes the station's 2.3 million listeners will make a pledge.

"There is a Chinese saying that goes, 'if we give out a stone, others will follow and give out a jade'. I hope our listeners will pledge, even as little as RM1, to the cause."

*Article taken from New Straits Times.