Music backs tsunami aid: commercial radio to unite for simulcast as the Brit Trust joins forces with Save The Children.(Charity)

The music and radio industries are taking unprecedented steps to back the tsunami relief effort.

Commercial radio stations across the UK will unite for 12 hours for the first time in radio history next week for a fundraising simulcast, while Brit Award organisers will tonight (Monday) use the event's nominations launch at London's Park Lane Hotel to unveil an aid relief initiative in partnership with Save The Children.

The two moves come as part of a widespread response from the music and media industries, in the wake of December 26's earthquake and tsunami which has to date killed more than 140,000 people.

The Brit Trust and Save The Children are linking up to provide education and therapy in affected areas, reflecting the two key pillars of the Brit Trust's activities.

A guaranteed 500,000 [pounds sterling] will be donated from the proceeds of next month's 25th Brit Awards, to be distributed in two phases: by helping to reunite children with their families and bring relative normality to youngsters' lives through educational music projects; and by helping fund the rebuilding of schools and orphanages over the next two years.

The move is backed by Save The Children president the Princess Royal. BPI executive chairman Peter Jamieson says, "This is 500,000 [pounds sterling] guaranteed. It is a tangible and rapid response and it is also a two-year programme, to ensure that this continues beyond the immediate initial needs."

The commercial radio simulcast, whose details were starting to emerge at the end of last week, will see national, regional and local stations unite from 6am to 6pm next Monday. Presenters, station staff; guest artists and listeners will be urged to give an hour of their salary for the cause, with all radio advertising revenue also to be donated; estimates put that income alone at between 1.3m [pounds sterling] and 1.5m [pounds sterling].