By Jail and Bail Crime Correspondent Andrew Brown
Twelve notable figures were ‘arrested’ in a dawn raid by police officers in Southport.
Thankfully they’re all now enjoying the taste of freedom, after raising over £23,000 in ‘bail’ money – with every penny going to Queenscourt Hospice.
They were all taking part in the new Jail and Bail initiative, which was organised jointly between Queenscourt Hospice and Stand Up For Southport.
Volunteers included two primary school headteachers, two NHS staff members, two Queenscourt employees, a radio DJ, and local business people.
Jail and Bail for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates outside The Cheshire Lines Inn.
Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
The 12 fundraisers were (in alphabetical order): Adrian Antell, Victoria Bradshaw, Daniel Doherty, Helen Hurst, Debbie Lawson, David Lloyd, Andrew Robertson, Robert Smallman, Kate Sutcliffe, Prabtosh Thakkar, Baz Todd, and Chris Upton.
You can donate to their ‘bail’ amounts here: Jail & Bail 2023 – JustGiving
They met at House of Ivy on Lord Street on Friday morning, when Sefton Police officers burst through the back door and swooped to ‘arrest’ them.
Jail and Bail for Queenscourt Hospice. Baz Todd, Adrian Antell and Debbie Lawson-Pierce.
Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
The dirty dozen were then escorted to the former Southport Magistrates’ Court (now Access Point) where they faced ‘trial’ for a series of heinous crimes.
The defendants were then transferred to the former custody suite at Southport Police Station and ‘jailed’.
They were then led through Southport town centre in a series of challenges, with a quiz and lunch at The Cheshire Lines Inn, a getaway attempt while eating candy floss on Silcock’s Carousel, and finally karaoke at the Marine Lake Cafe.
Jail and Bail for Queenscourt Hospice. Kate Sutcliffe on Silcock’s Carousel.
Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
The Stand Stand Up For Southport Facebook group, which has 25,000 members, enjoyed a Jail and Bail makeover on Friday with lots of video and pictures throughout the day where people could follow the progress of our ‘inmates’.
Pictures were taken by Dave Brown Photography.
Queenscourt Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley said:
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to all our 12 Jail and Bail fundraisers, and everyone who supported them!
“They were all really good sports and were very enthusiastic in taking on their challenges.
Jail and Bail for Queenscourt Hospice. Daniel Doherty and David Lloyd outside Southport Police Station.
Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
“We’re very grateful to all the local businesses and other organisations who supported us in making Jail and Bail such a huge success, including Access Point, Sefton Police, Silcock Leisure Group, the Cheshire Lines Inn, the Marine Lake Cafe, Dave Brown Photography and others.
“Queenscourt Hospice relies on the generosity of local people to continue funding our services and events like this are vital to us.
“If anyone would like to take part in Jail and Bail next year please get in touch!”
Jail and Bail for Queenscourt Hospice. Vici Bradshaw, Chris Upton, Chetan Thakkar, and Rob Smallman do karaoke at the Marine Lake Cafe.
Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
Stand Up For Southport founder Andrew Brown said:
“Jail and Bail has definitely put the fun into fundraising!
“We really appreciate the huge efforts of everyone who took part in our brand new initiative this year.
“We’ve been blown away by the hundreds of kind donations made by people to help our 12 ‘inmates’ secure their freedom!
Jail and Bail for Queenscourt Hospice. Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
“It was heartwarming to see the tremendous response they all received from members of the public who stopped to donate as they saw our ‘chain gang’ making their way through town.
“It’s been a fantastic way of raising not only funds but also awareness about the amazing work done by Queenscourt Hospice in our local community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Every penny raised through Jail & Bail will go towards Queenscourt Hospice.
Jail and Bail for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates in the House Of Ivy. Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
The charity provides care and support for residents across West Lancashire, Southport and Formby, 365 days a year.
Queenscourt Hospice provides access to specialist palliative care either at home (including care homes), hospital or in Queenscourt via the Inpatient Unit or as an Outpatient.
- For more details or to register your interest please email Queenscourt Hospice Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley at: fundraising@queenscourt.org.uk or email: Stand Up For Southport owner Andrew Brown at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
- For more news about the work of Queenscourt Hospice, please visit: www.queenscourt.org.uk
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
