Game-for-a-laugh business representatives have the chance to start their year with a bang by signing up for a quirky fundraiser.
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is on the lookout for more ‘corporate convicts’ willing to take part in its second Jail or Bail event.
The fundraiser, which generated more than £35,000 earlier this year, will see business representatives swapping their plush offices for police cars and ‘prison cells’ on Thursday, 27th February.
They will be detained on the premise of committing fun crimes – this year’s ranged from oversharing to pinching the office milk – and must canvass support in order to raise £1,000 in bail money via their JustGiving pages.
When they reach that total, the sporting business representatives will be free to go.
Anyone who falls short can still leave after five hours, but in the hope they continue their fundraising endeavours.
“Jail or Bail was such an enormous success last time, both in terms of funds and raising awareness of the work we do,” said Corporate Fundraising Manager Caroline Allen.
“To raise as much as we did was astonishing and far exceeded our expectations.
“Now we’re looking forward to doing it all over again, with the help and support of our wonderful corporate colleagues.
“It’s very much a case of the more the merrier, and we’d be delighted to hear from any good sports keen to get involved.
“As well as doing their bit to raise funds, it’s also great fun, a chance to network with colleagues and an opportunity to start the year with a good deed.”
This year’s event was a first for EACH’s corporate fundraising team, and there were five business representatives at Milton, near Cambridge, four at The Nook, near Norwich, and two at The Treehouse, in Ipswich.
They were allowed to use their laptops and phones, to appeal for financial help, and, in total, the convicts raised more than £35,000.
After arriving at the hospices, the convicts were arrested, handcuffed and read their rights by real police officers.
They then booked in for the day, fingerprints were taken, and they were asked to change into grey custody tracksuits.
As soon as they reached their fundraising target, the convicts were free to go.
“Everyone that helped was a great sport, and it was thanks to their generosity and sense of fun that we were able to raise as much as we did,” added Caroline.
“Now we’re looking forward to meeting and welcoming more corporate friends, because an event of this nature simply wouldn’t be possible without them giving their time, getting in the spirit and raiding their contacts books.”
To register your interest, head here or email corporate@each.org.uk
