By Queenscourt Crime Correspondent Andrew Brown
A business owner famous for making the women of Southport look beautiful is facing an ugly ‘prison’ sentence – unless she can raise the £999 ‘bail’ money needed for Queenscourt Hospice.
Laura Murray, owner of LM Beauty in Wayfarers Shopping Arcade on Lord Street, enjoyed seeing the antics of last year’s ‘inmates’ and can’t wait to follow in their footsteps.
She has just celebrated her first birthday of LM Beauty in Wayfarers Shopping Arcade and now hopes people will be able to raise the ‘bail’ money needed for prison governors to secure her release.
Laura is looking forward to taking part in the fun initiative, which will see a dozen kind-hearted people ‘sentenced’ for their ‘crimes’ at the former Southport Magistrates Court (now Access Point); ‘jailed’ and then 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 Hospice, in a fundraiser organised by Queenscourt Hospice and by Stand Up For Southport.
You can support Laura via her JustGiving page here: Laura Murray is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice (justgiving.com)
Laura studied at Christ The King High School in Birkdale in Southport before taking a Photography course at Southport College.
She lived in Manchester for six years before moving back to Southport and developing her career in the beauty industry.
She said: “I have supported Queenscourt Hospice for a long time.
“We have our Queenscourt donation box in our salon and I always love to do what I can to raise money for them.
“Jail and Bail looked like it was a really good day out last year!
“With my sister, Hayley Jones, working at Queenscourt Hospice, she asked if I would be interested in taking part, and I am really looking forward to it.
“It is great to be able to support such a superb local charity.
“I think a lot of people in our area are like-minded. We all want to do what we can for Queenscourt.”
Laura is delighted to have made the move to Southport town centre last year.
She said: “LM Beauty is celebrating our first birthday at Wayfarers Arcade this May!
“Our first year in the arcade has gone really well. We have had lots of support from our customers and from everyone at the arcade.
“I have been in the industry for 10 years so I have lots of experience.
“Being situated in Southport town centre has really put our business on the map.
“We have been able to attract lots of new clients since being here.
“I offer make-up, lashes and brows.
“I work with a team of girls who offer different services too, such as permanent make-up, nails, aesthetics and more.”
Laura’s Jail and Bail ‘crime’ is making the women of Southport look far too beautiful.
She said: “I have been told that my ‘crime’ will be ‘aiding and abetting catfishing’.
“I love my job and making people feel a better version of themselves, some say I just encourage catfishing!
“I have put up my Jail and Bail posters in the window at my salon. People have been coming in to ask me what it’s all about and how they can support it.
“I have raised £100 so far and am determined to get to the £99 in ‘bail’ money that I need to escape ‘jail’!”
Photo by Dave Brown Photography for Stand Up For Southport
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 fundraiser in collaboration with Stand Up For Southport 10am-3pm on Friday, 7th June 2024 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 Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley said:
“We’re thrilled to join forces with Andrew and the Stand Up For Southport team for this year’s Jail and Bail event. This quirky event isn’t just about fun and entertainment—it’s a testament to our community’s generosity and spirit. Together, our ‘inmates’ are raising vital funds to help us to provide compassionate care to those who need us most. We’re looking forward to laughter, camaraderie, and making a real difference where it counts.”
Stand up For Southport Director Andrew Brown said:
“We are honoured to team up with Queenscourt Hospice to launch the second Jail & Bail fundraiser!
“It’s going to be a really fun way of raising money for an incredible local charity that holds a very special place in the hearts of so many of us.”
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 Laura Murray’s fundraising page at: Laura Murray 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
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: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
