radio station to donate $500k to nurse's famil

Radio station to donate $500k to nurse's family

Updated 47 seconds ago

Photo: Jacintha Saldanha's family will receive at least $500,000. (ABC TV)

Map: Sydney 2000
The radio station at the centre of the royal prank call that tragically backfired has announced it will resume advertising from Thursday

But Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) says all advertising profits from 2Day FM for the rest of the year will benefit the family of London nurse Jacintha Saldanha.

It has pledged to provide a minimum of $500,000.

Ms Saldanha took her own life after putting through the prank call made by presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian.

2Day FM suspended advertising on Saturday following Ms Saldanha's death.

It was seen a bold tactic to retain advertisers who would have been pressured to publically withdraw support from the station.

Coles and Telstra were both quick to pull their advertising, while the suspension is estimated to have cost the station around $150,000 a day.

SCA has released a statement saying the profits from advertising until 2013 would go to an appropriate memorial fund that would directly benefit Ms Saldanha's family.

SCA chief executive Rhys Holleran says the company sends its condolences to Ms Saldanha's family.

"We hope that by contributing to a memorial fund, we can help to provide the Saldanha family with the support they need at this very difficult time," he said in a statement.

The Australian Stock Exchange has been notified of the announcement.

2Day FM earlier cancelled its Christmas party in the wake of the events.

A spokeswoman for the station says the decision was made out of respect for Ms Saldanha's family and that now is not the time for celebrations.

She says all costs set aside for the event will be donated to Beyond Blue and Lifeline.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-11/radio-station-to-donate-24500k-to-nurse27s-family/4422258