Sporting business representatives are swapping plush offices for police cars and ‘prison cells’ as part of a quirky charity fundraiser.
The Jail or Bail event is being organised by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and will feature corporate convicts being held in custody throughout the day on Friday (16th February).
Their crimes range from stealing the office milk to ‘cycle wear fashion abuse’.
As punishment, they will have to spend a maximum of five hours ‘behind bars’, canvassing support in order to raise £1,000 each via their JustGiving pages.
When they reach that total, they will be free to go. Anyone who falls short can still leave after five hours, but in the hope they continue their fundraising endeavours.
The Jail or Bail event is a first for EACH’s corporate fundraising team and there will be five business representatives at Milton, near Cambridge, four at The Nook, near Norwich, and two at The Treehouse, in Ipswich.
After arriving at the hospices, they will be arrested, handcuffed and read their rights by real police officers.
They will then book in for the day, fingerprints will be taken and they will be asked to change into grey custody tracksuits.
“It’s going to be great fun and lovely to be organising something so different from the norm,” said EACH Senior Corporate Fundraiser Billie Nugent.
“We’re excited and so grateful to the individuals and businesses who have supported us by getting involved.
“They’re great sports and, clearly, this event wouldn’t be possible without them giving their time, getting in the spirit and raiding their contacts books.
“Thanks to their generosity and sense of fun, we hope to raise vital funds that will help us continue our work providing care and support for children and families.
“We’re also incredibly grateful to the police forces in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, for helping add a touch of drama and authenticity to proceedings.”
The corporate convicts will be allowed to use their laptops and phones, in order to appeal for financial help and garner support.
Those being held at Milton are Amy Starkey (Jockey Club Racecourses), Noel Byrne (Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa), Sharon Livermore (Kameo Recruitment), Steve Elsom (Number 4 Consulting) and Paul Smith (Handelsbanken). After being arrested outside the hospice, they will spend the day at nearby Milton Hall.
Ross Bangs (Landscaping by Bangs), Nicky Richardson (Center Parcs), James Melton-Royal (JMR Healthcare) and Alex Harvey (Snap IT) will be kept at The Nook, with Gaynor Fisher (The New Homes Group) and Claire Yelland (Friel, pictured) behind bars at The Treehouse.
EACH provides care and support for families across East Anglia.
Its range of services is comprehensive, for both bereaved and non-bereaved families, and includes expert nursing care and short breaks, symptom management nursing, family activities and events, physical therapies, wellbeing, care at end of life, bereavement support and practical help in the family home.