12-year-old's radio show will promote 'kindness and community' across South Yorkshire

Alana Habergham-Rice, who launched Alana's Caring Cakes when she was just nine years old

After setting up Alana’s Caring Cakes when she was just nine years old, to bake sweet treats for people experiencing challenges, Alana soon became a symbol of community spirit in the region.

And now the 12-year-old is hoping to push her messages of caring and positivity out to a wider audience, with her own weekly radio show in her hometown of Rotherham.

“I’d been talking to my mum for a while about wanting to do something like this, and then my local radio station posted that they were hiring,” said Alana, who was recently awarded ‘The Diana Award – the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts.

Alana Habergham-Rice presenting her hero, Jess Ennis, with some of her cakes at a recent charity event in Sheffield

"I applied for a spot as a volunteer presenter, and start my show this month.”

‘Alana’s Antics’ will run at 3pm every Sunday for one hour on Redroad FM, and Alana plans to feature community news and events, interviews with local people, and some of her favourite music.

"I think I’m probably their youngest presenter,” smiled Alana.

"For me it’s another platform to talk about the importance of kindness and community, as I’d love to help get our community spirit back to where it once was.

Alana Habergham-Rice has presented cakes to people all across the region, facing challenges or difficulties

"I think we’ve seen a bit of that in lockdown, with people helping each other out, reaching out to vulnerable people in need in their own areas, and taking the time to talk to each other while out walking.

"It’s been really nice to see people coming together, and I think it’s important to keep hold of that.”

Alana has recently become an ambassador for a local autism charity and launched a Kindness Fair, which brings together different charities and young people to celebrate positivity and raise money for local causes.

She also leads an annual charity event which has raised over £5,000 for various causes, including directly funding treatment for her school-friend with cerebral-palsy and the Sheffield Hospital Charity.

Alana Habergham-Rice with her sister Emily

So after taking on so much in the last few years, is she nervous about this new role?

"A little,” admitted Alana, who last year received a Rotary Young Citizen Award for her work with Alana’s Caring Cakes, which has seen her makes cakes for people in care homes, hospice staff, people in the middle of chemotherapy, and caring family members of those with a terminal illness.

"But I've done interviews at the same station before and know the people there, and they’ve all been really welcoming.

"I have lots of ideas of things I want to discuss, and lots of guests I want to line up that local people will know and love.

"I’m really looking forward to it, and just can’t wait to get started.”

‘Alana’s Antics’ launches tomorrow (August 29) and will be available across Rotherham, as well as parts of Sheffield and Derbyshire.