LANCASHIRE bosses were arrested and thrown behind bars for make-believe crimes – all in the name of Derian House Children’s Hospice.
The 13 Bail Me Out bandits – including Chorley Mayor, Councillor Julia Berry – were arrested at Chorley Police Station on Friday morning, before being thrown behind bars at The Vaults Bar and Bistro until they had each raised £999 in bail money.
Charged with make-believe crimes such as ‘being the office seagull and pinching food’, ‘hotel dressing gown theft’, and ‘crimes against comedy – due to dad jokes’, the criminals had only their phones and laptops to help them break out of jail.
And that’s not all – this year, prisoners were released to find clues based on their crimes hidden by local businesses around Chorley town centre that would help them bump up their bail.
The criminals raised over £17,000 in total that will help to care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions from across the North West of England.
Nicola Stevenson, Director of Link Contracting Services, took part in the event. She said: “Derian is just such an amazing charity and fundraising for them is so worthwhile. I got to do something crazy with people I’ve never met before. We had an absolutely brilliant day. It was such a laugh.
“It really touched me to see everyone come together to support the charity. Supporting Derian house has been an eye-opener. As a parent, you never know what is going to happen. To know that there is a local hospice there to take the pressure off families with poorly children is incredible and reassuring.”
Ellie Smith, Community Fundraiser at Derian House, said: “Bail Me Out is a lot of fun for everyone involved, but it also helps to raise vital funds for poorly children and their families who visit Derian House.
“The money our ‘prisoners’ raised will make a huge difference to the children, young people and families who are cared for by Derian House.
“Care is free for families, but it costs £5.7million a year to run services at Derian House. With just 17% of our funding coming from statuary sources, we rely on the kindness of our incredible supporters – including our convicts!”
Find out more about the event: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/events/bail-me-out/
Donations are still open: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DerianBailMeOut
