Words By Queenscourt Crime Correspondent Andrew Brown
Pictures by Zack Downey of Zed Productions
Twelve ‘prisoners’ have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station – and it’s all thanks to your help.
The dozen daring fundraisers were all taking part in this year’s Jail and Bail challenge, organised jointly by Queenscourt Hospice and Stand Up For Southport to raise as much money as possible for Queenscourt.
Each kind-hearted ‘inmate’ was set the task of raising a minimum of £999 in ‘bail’ through completing a series of fun challenges throughout the day on Friday, 7th June 2024.
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates at Southport Police Station
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
Over £12,800 has been raised so far, with every penny going towards helping the hospice to operate services to support families from across Formby, Southport and West Lancashire, 365 days a year. Queenscourt relies on public donations for 80% of their costs.
Funds are still being raised; you can donate to your choice of ‘prisoner’ via the JustGiving page here.
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates at Southport Police Station
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
This year’s inmates were: Queenscourt Hospice Medical Director Clare Finnegan; Frantastic Pre-School owner Fran Taylor; Southport Hospital UNISON officer Angela Wilson; Hesketh Arms pub landlord Dave Langshaw; Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group Commercial Director Geoff Wareham; owner of LM Beauty in Wayfarers Shopping Arcade, Laura Murray; Rubix UK Key Account Manager and Everton FC disability coach Jon Hardy; Anthony James Estate Agent Director Mark Cunningham: speech therapist and All Souls and Southport Dramatic Club panto star Chris Gerring; United Legal Assistance Motor Claims Handler and Southport Coaster bartender Jocelyn Pye; Thatch & Thistle pub landlord Suzanne Norris; and Greatest Hits Radio producer Alexander Toal.
They were all issued with prison costumes and given little idea of the daunting challenges that lay ahead.
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates outside the House Of Ivy on Lord Street in Southport
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
The day was well supported by officers from Sefton Police
The twelve ‘convicts’ met for an early morning coffee at the House Of Ivy on Lord Street in Southport, when they were suddenly ‘arrested’.
The captured ‘inmates’ were led in a ‘chain gang’ to the dock inside the former Southport Magistrates’ Court, kindly hosted by Access Point and their MD, David Robertshaw.
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates inside the former Southport Magistrates Court (now Access Point)
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
Judge Ash Halligan Giles prosecuted their cases for a variety of heinous ‘crimes’ – Mark Cunningham was convicted of being a ‘Christmas junkie’, Jon Hardy for his terrible jokes, Laura Murray for ‘aiding and abetting catfishing’ by making the women of Southport look beautiful, and more.
They were then taken down into the cells at Southport Police Station, where they completed a quiz and spent time inside.
Sefton Police Officers and members of the Queenscourt Fundraising team then led the ‘chain gang’ along Lord Street, visiting places including The Grand and United Legal Assistance, as they accepted donations from passers-by and headed for lunch at the new Connolly’s Irish bar on King Street.
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates at Southport Police Station with Queenscourt Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
Their next challenge awaited – a pedalo race across Marine Lake, thanks to Southport Marine Lake.
The escaped ‘convicts’ competed in three teams as they raced across the lake, and were ambushed with water bombs dropped from the Venetian Bridge.
Their final challenge awaited – with karaoke at the Marine Lake Cafe.
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Jocelyn Pye with Sefton Police officers
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
Pictures, video and other coverage throughout the day were captured by Zack Downey from Zed Productions and by Stand Up For Southport.
Queenscourt Hospice Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley said: “What a fantastic day! We’d like to say a huge thank you to our 12 brave ‘inmates’, to all the local businesses, and to Sefton Police who so kindly supported us, and to the hundreds of people who donated to our fundraisers.
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions“The huge sense of community spirit, along with the warmth and invaluable support from local businesses, reflects the strong support for Queenscourt and enables us to continue delivering essential care to patients and their families when they need us most.
“We wanted to make the day as fun as we could while also raising as much funding as possible to continue the vital work provided by Queenscourt Hospice.
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates at United Legal Assistance on Lord Street in Southport
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
“This is the second year we have run Jail and Bail, and it adds to the series of successful fundraising events that we run, including Strictly, Star Trekk, the Southport Santa Sprint, and more.”
Stand Up For Southport Director Andrew Brown said: “Our 12 ‘convicts’ were really up for a challenge this year and we really appreciate everything they put into making this year’s Jail and Bail such a huge success!
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Jon Hardy, Alex Toal, Clare Finnegan and Fran Taylor
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
“It was a really fun day, made possible through the support of so many local people, local businesses, our local police officers, and members of the public.
“Queenscourt Hospice is such a fantastic local charity that deserves all the support it can get. So many people in our community have been supported by the care they provide at a time they need it the most.
Twelve people have completed a bold escape from the cells at Southport Police Station in the annual Jail and Bail fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice. Inmates enjoy karaoke at the Marine Lake Cafe in Southport
Photo by Zack Downey of ZED Productions
“We are already recruiting for next year’s Jail and Bail – if you are interested in taking part please get in touch!”
- Please donate to your choice of our Jail and Bail inmates via our JustGiving page here.
- 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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