DJ BEN AIMS FOR THE RADIO WORLD RECORD

BY RAEANNE THOMAS

06 January 2005

Blind Dj Ben Kearns is overcoming all manner of obstacles to clinch a world
record by staging a staggering 132-hour long radio session with the help of
celebs including Yoko Ono.

The 19-year-old began the gruelling challenge at his former school, the
Royal London Society for the Blind's Dorton House in Seal, yesterday
(Wednesday) morning and will be auctioning off a whole host of memorabilia,
including Beatles items donated by John Lennon's widow.

But at one point it looked as if the attempt would never happen as
volunteers needed to help Ben were thin on the ground.

And this was a double blow for the student, who had intended to break a
record back in June only to have it beaten before he had even begun.

The record for the longest continuous radio show by one DJ has recently been
broken twice and currently stands at 121 hours.

In the summer, Ben was aiming to beat a 37-hour stint set by Simon Mayo but
must now gear himself up for 132 to better a recent unconfirmed record of
131 hours.

He said: "It was always going to be a tough challenge, so the recent
extension of the record just makes it all the more worthwhile.

It just means I'll be spending a little more time back at the RLSB!"

The teenager, who has been blind since the age of five, attended both Dorton
House and the College to complete a National Diploma in Media.

During that time he was a regular presenter on the school station, with a
Friday lunchtime show called Ready Steady Rewind, and is studying radio
broadcasting at Thames Valley University in Ealing, West London.

During the record challenge, which is expected to end on Monday night, Ben
will be allowed just a few breaks from the airwaves to grab a bite to eat
and freshen up.

Luckily, businesses have donated him a special chair to sit in for the long
haul and air conditioning units for the studio.

The show will feature live music and an interview with Sevenoaks celebrity
Cheryl Baker, who once presented TV's Record Breakers.

Phone interviews will be on air with boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper, former
EastEnder Anita Dobson, comedian Ross Noble and fellow record-breaking DJ
Simon Mayo.

Former Bucks Fizzer Cheryl will then be on hand to help Ben celebrate at the
end of the challenge.

RLSB workers will be out and about in Sevenoaks throughout the record
attempt, encouraging residents to tune in.

Followers can listen on 1350AM locally and those further afield can tune in
via the internet at www.rlsb.org.uk

However, more trained medical staff are still needed to sit in during parts
of the challenge, and locals are asked to join the We're Backing Ben
campaign by advertising on air, sponsoring him, or making a donation to the
RLSB.

Anyone who would like to help should call Carline Vago-Hughes or Andy Rowell
at the RLSB on 01732 592694 or send an e-mail to:

http://www.thisiskentandeastsussex.c...entPK=11602105