By Queenscourt Crime Correspondent Andrew Brown
Popular panto star Christopher Gerring has been promoted to do porridge in this year’s Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice.
Christopher, who starred in the Southport Dramatic Club panto in December, has been charged with forgetting his lines – and now faces a long sentence he will never forget.
The actor, speech therapist and rugby player is among a dozen kind-hearted people taking on the challenge on Friday 7th June 2024 where they will be sentenced’ for their ‘crimes’ at the former Southport Magistrates Court (now Access Point); ‘jailed’ at Southport Police Station before being set a series of fun challenges to raise a minimum of £999 ‘bail’ money before they are released.
Every penny raised will go towards supporting the ongoing work of Queenscourt, in a fundraiser organised by the hospice and by Stand Up For Southport.
You can support Chris via his JustGiving page here: Christopher Gerring is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice (justgiving.com)
Christopher Gerring played the Burger Meister in the Pied Piper pantomime at Southport Little Theatre last December.
The committee member for All Souls Dramatic Club appeared in the All Souls pantomime in 2023.
Chris said: “I really enjoy performing in pantomimes in Southport!
“They’re always really good fun, and we have some very talented actors in this town.
“It’s great everyone getting together and having a really good time and entertaining an audience.
“However, there are occasional times when I have difficulties remembering all my lines, and sometimes it goes awry!
“During the week of Jail and Bail I will be at the Little Theatre in Southport, with BOS Musical Theatre Company in Sister Act.
“If I am not released on Friday from jail, then they will be a Cop down from the cast!”
Chris works full-time as a speech and language therapist, a role he has enjoyed for the past 20 years, working mainly with local children.
Chris was born in Huyton and moved to Southport in 2001.
He has two children; Matthew, 15, and Charlotte, 16, who starred with him in the Pied Piper.
He is a member of Southport Rugby Club, where he plays for the 3rd XV and for the Southport Shipwrecks. He helps out with the Under 15 team, where his son, Matthew, plays.
Chris has raised lots of money for cancer related charities after the death of his father.
He said: “My Dad, Ray Gerring, died from cancer in 2005.
“I have done a variety of fundraising activities since then, including abseiling down the side of a university building in Liverpool.
“I am always up for a challenge and when the idea of Jail and Bail came up it seemed like a great idea to take part.
“I hope people help me to raise the bail money I need to escape!”
Every penny raised through Jail & Bail will go towards Queenscourt Hospice, which provides care and support for residents across West Lancashire, Southport and Formby, 365 days a year.
Queenscourt is staging this brand new fundraiser in collaboration with Stand Up For Southport 10am-3pm on Friday, 7th June 2023 at Access Point, based inside the former Southport Magistrates’ Court building, on Albert Road in Southport.
A handful of other local ‘criminals’ have already had their collars felt – organisers are looking forward to bringing them together in June as a ‘chain gang’.
Several local businesses are supporting the initiative on the day.
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.
- Please donate to Chris Gerring via his fundraising page at: Christopher Gerring is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice (justgiving.com)
- 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
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