Crime pays for Bluebell Wood as volunteers are '˜jailed' for fundraiser

Being 'locked up' for Bluebell Wood were (from left): Chris North, Richard Burdin, Ken Perritt, James Gascoigne, Rob Glegg, Will Vaulks, Frank Christmas and Chris Wilder

Wilder was one of eight people who found themselves spending a day in the slammer for the North Anston-based hospice’s Jail n’ Bail fundraising event.

And ‘crime’ has definitely paid for the charity, which is on track to raise around £14,000 after the ‘felons’ went under lock and key for a day at the Lifewise centre in Hellaby.

The ‘inmates’ had to raise a minimum bail to secure their release, with all funds going to support children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions across South Yorkshire, north Derbyshire, north Nottinghamshire and parts of Lincolnshire.

The eight people sent down in support of the children’s hospice were Wilder, fellow football man Will Vaulks of Rotherham United who is a Bluebell Wood Ambassador

Rob Glegg, head of sales at Insight in Sheffield

Richard Burdin and Ken Perritt, who both work for XPO Logistics in Sheffield, James Gascoigne a solicitor at Howells in Rotherham, Frank Christmas, a team leader at Capita in Wath-upon-Dearne, and Chris North, business relationship manager for Barclays Bank in Doncaster and Bluebell Wood ambassador.

Rachel Hodges, senior events fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said: “The day was amazing from start to finish.

“Our volunteer inmates arrived at Bluebell Wood to blue flashing lights and sirens, which certainly caused a stir.

“They enjoyed breakfast with our staff before being handcuffed and taken away.

“I dressed as a prison officer for the day and made sure our convicts did exactly as they were told, from litter picking and peeling potatoes to cleaning telephone box windows and dashing around local businesses in the pouring rain.

“Everyone dressed up in prison uniform, got into the spirit, and made the day great fun.

“The staff at the Lifewise centre were amazing, along with the three police officers and two magistrates who certainly kept our convicts on their toes.

“It looks as if we will raise around £14,000 when all donations are in, which is absolutely fantastic

“Following this success we’re already planning for the next Jail n’ Bail, which looks like it could be a corker.”

For more ideas to help Bluebell Wood support 250 children and young adults with life shortening and life-threatening conditions visit the website at www.bluebellwood.org or follow the hospice on Facebook.