2AIR's Connor Maclean!
Author: Joe Mace | Source: 2AIR-FM | Date: 10-06-08
Connor Maclean, 2AIR Citizen of the Year
This article was awarded third place in the 2008 Toot Your Own Horn competition
Contributor: Joe Mace, 2AIR-FM
Coffs Coast Community Radio, 2AIR-FM, is very mindful of its responsibility to the welfare of its community. When some of the presenters became aware that a pupil at Narranga Public School in Coffs Harbour was suffering from a rare disease and was terminally ill, they decided to take the opportunity to help him realise his dream. To be a rock star!
10-year-old Connor Maclean suffers from Vacterl syndrome, a chronic condition
that prevents his heart, kidneys, bowel, bladder and oesophagus from functioning
properly. But there is nothing wrong with his spirit!!
This little fellow has won the hearts of all those he comes in contact with and none more than the vice-president of 2AIR-FM, Joe Mace. Joe interviewed Connor, his mother Cheryl and grandfather Ralph twice on radio on two occasions, bonding with him in the process.
When Connor released his first CD single, How Good it would Be, performed with Casey Chambers and Rod Dowsett, 2AIR bought 50 copies. The station donated the profits to Westmead Children’s Hospital where Connor has spent a large proportion of his ten years, having had 40 operations and numerous medical procedures there. On sale at the studio, the CD’s were also given away as competition prizes. Upon visiting Thailand for a family wedding in October, Joe sold a further 30 CD copies.
Held at the Coffs Harbour Ex-Services Club, who donated the venue, Casey and Rod organised the Rock 4 Connor Concert. 2AIR-FM then promoted the CD relentlessly, encouraging its listeners to attend the concert. 2AIR presenters and staff wore their eye-catching yellow T-shirts emblazoned with the stations logo. A resounding success, $12,000 was raised at the concert.
Connor had breaks from the stage throughout the concert. His mother and grandfather tended him with the medical procedures necessary to keep him going.
It is a very humbling experience to realise that this little 10-year-old with such horrific medical problems can stand in front of an audience with the confidence and aplomb of a seasoned performer and belt out ‘Let me entertain you’.
With help and encouragement, Connor now knows that his friends at 2AIR are there for him to realise his dream of being a rock star and to support his hospital, Westmead Children’s.
Listen to Connor's interview
here!
