By Queenscourt Crime Correspondent Andrew Brown
Southport’s Sambuca Bandit is hoping to spirit her way out of ‘prison’ when the Jail and Bail fundraiser takes place!
Vici Bradshaw, who runs the Woollen Pig tap and bakehouse on Duke Street in Southport, is appealing for people’s support in her bid to raise funds for Queenscourt Hospice – a charity very close to her heart.
The business owner is among a dozen local people who will be ‘arrested’ and then ‘locked up’ in the jail cells at the former Southport Magistrates’ Court (now Access Point) on Friday 15th September 2023.
Vici has to raise a minimum of £999 in ‘bail’ money to secure her release, with every penny raised going to Queenscourt.
You can donate here: Victoria Bradshaw is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice (justgiving.com)
She said: “It is great to be able to raise funds for Queenscourt Hospice. I would do anything for them.
“It is a charity very close to the hearts of myself and to so many people in this town.
“It really is an honour to be taking part in Jail and Bail to help raise some funding for the charity.
“I am being charged and arrested with being Southport’s ‘Sambuca Bandit’, peddling shots to all my customers!”
Vici, who previously ran The Cheshire Lines Inn pub on King Street and The Thatch on Norwood Road, is hoping to encourage support from among her customers and everyone who knows her.
She should enjoy lots of support due to the growing popularity of her current venture.
Vici said: “The Woollen Pig has been superb since we opened it in July two years ago.
“It is in a good little spot and the feedback from our customers has been really good.
“A lot of what we do now is delivery and takeaway orders.
“We have a really unique offering which is proving to be very popular.
“I have always worked for national hospitality chains, so to be independent now is something I really love doing.
“I got cancer when I was younger and that inspired me to be brave and go out and do my own thing.”
Vici Bradshaw
The 39-year-old is someone who cares deeply for others.
Vici is enjoying spending time with her four-year-old foster daughter, Aahliyah, who she would love to adopt.
She is also a keen animal lover – and named The Woollen Pig after her two dogs, Wool and Pig!
She said: “My main focus is on being the best foster mum I can be to Aahliyah. She is my little sidekick!
“I love my two dogs, Wool and Pig, who are rescue dogs from Romania.
“I love doing all I can to help others, and would love as many people as possible to help me raise my bail money for Queenscourt Hospice!”
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, 15th September 2023 at Access Point, based inside the former Southport Magistrates’ Court building, on Albert Road in Southport.
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.”
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 Vici Bradshaw’s fundraising page at: Victoria Bradshaw 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
● For more news about the work of Queenscourt Hospice, please visit: www.queenscourt.org.uk
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