By Jail & Bail Crime Correspondent Andrew Brown
A community-spirited bathroom owner in Southport is keen to tap into lots of support when he takes part in the new Jail & Bail initiative to raise money for Queenscourt Hospice.
Daniel Doherty, who owns the Ripples bathroom showroom on Eastbank Street, is among prominent local people left with a sink-ing feeling after learning they will be ‘locked up’ on Friday 15th September.
To win his freedom Daniel needs well-wishers to shower him with donations as he aims to raise a minimum of £999 in ‘bail’ money.
People can donate via the Daniel Doherty Jail & Bail 2023 fundraising page on the JustGiving website here.
If the fearless fundraiser, who will face a series of challengers on the day, doesn’t come up with the readies then he faces a long soak inside.
Jail & Bail will see over a dozen community-minded people ‘locked up’ in the prison cells at the former Southport Magistrates’ Court building – for a variety of heinous ‘crimes’.
Their only way to escape? By completing daring challenges and seeking support from local people splashing out at least £999 in ‘bail’ money.
Every penny raised through Jail & Bail will go towards Queenscourt Hospice.
The charity 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.
It takes place 10am-3pm on Friday, 15th September 2023 at Access Point, based inside the former Southport Magistrates’ Court building, on Albert Road in Southport.
A handful of local ‘criminals’ have already had their collars felt – now organisers are reaching out for more willing participants to join their ‘chain gang’.
Ripples Bathrooms owner Daniel Doherty said: “I’m feeling nervous about heading to spend some time inside so I’m keen for people to come to my rescue and bail me out!
“This is the first time that Jail & Bail has taken part in Southport and I think it’s a really good initiative.
“Queenscourt Hospice is a fantastic charity to support and I am delighted to do anything I can do to support what they do in our community.
“Our area would be lost without all the good they do.
Daniel Doherty, owner of the Ripples bathroom showroom in Southport, is among people taking part in the Jail and Bail fundraising initiative for Queenscourt Hospice. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“Without members of the public raising funds every year through Jail & Bail, Star Trekk, Santa Sprint and other events, our local hospice just wouldn’t exist.
“I am always up for a challenge and taking part in Jail & Bail sounds like lots of fun!
“The main aim is to raise as much money as we can for Queenscourt Hospice so I hope people are as supportive as possible and help my appeal – and get me out of ‘jail’!
“Although I’m sure some of my family and friends would be keen for me to stay in!”
Ripples Bathrooms, based on Eastbank Street in Southport town centre, is owned by Southport couple Daniel and Jenna Doherty and recently celebrated its first birthday.
It is the only Ripples outlet in the North of England.
Earlier this year, Ripples Southport was a finalist in the New Bathroom Retailer of the Year Awards at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2023.
Which crimes does Daniel think his family and friends think he should be charged with for Jail & Bail?
He said: “I don’t think you could publish that!
“I think they’d lock me up for being too good looking!
“Either that, or enjoying a nice Guinness or two at the weekend.”
Local businesses including The Cheshire Lines Inn pub in Southport are supporting the initiative on the day.
Queenscourt Hospice Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley said:
“Jail and Bail, Queenscourt Hospice’s brand-new fundraising challenge, in collaboration with Stand Up For Southport, is coming soon to a jail near you and we would absolutely love you to be involved.
“Individuals eager to take part in this challenge will be ‘arrested’, ‘charged with a despicable crime’ and then placed on ‘trial’ in the famous courtroom inside the Access Point building – all for a wonderful cause!
“Once you have been found ‘guilty’, you will need to raise a minimum of £999 in bail money to be released!
“Wearing a prison uniform, you will have access to your laptop and phone throughout the day so that you can raise your bail money.
“You will also take part in activities throughout the day, around Southport, that relate to your chosen crime.”
Stand up For Southport owner Andrew Brown said:
“We are honoured to team up with Queenscourt Hospice to launch the first ever 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.
“We would love to see people from across West Lancashire, Southport and Formby join us for this unique event, with numbers very limited.”
Access Point People Director Amanda Manley said:
“Access Point is delighted to support Queenscourt Hospice with Jail & Bail this September, by offering the use of our Courthouse cells.
“Liz Hartley, the Fundraising Manager at Queenscourt, has shared her vision for the event and it’s sure to be a fun-filled day for all involved and a great way to raise funds for the hospice.
“Our employees have held various events to raise funds for Queenscourt since May 2022 and it’s great to be able to help them from behind the scenes this time around.”
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? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
