The streets of Salisbury were buzzing with drama, laughter, and a touch of mischief as Salisbury Hospice Charity’s Jail & Bail fundraiser made a triumphant return, raising a fantastic £9,334 to support hospice care in our community.
As the day began, five ‘notorious’ local business professionals were apprehended for fiendishly fictitious workplace crimes – from strategic overthinking and terrible office banter to ‘aggravated tax optimisation.’
After being arrested by Wiltshire Police, their pleas were heard in a lively mock trial at Salisbury Guildhall, presided over by the formidable Judge
Wendy Warwick White.
Crowds gathered as the brilliant Jef Hutchby, Salisbury’s Town Crier, announced each prisoner. The guilty parties were escorted to their cell, specially created by Ozweld International Ltd, to prepare for a packed afternoon of fundraising – complete with an energetic workout in the town centre’s ‘exercise yard’.
Prisoner Shirley Hollis from Xeinadin spoke to Salisbury Radio whilst taking part in the event. She told us why she was taking part:
From over-the-top arrests to imaginative courtroom defences, the day was characterised by humour, community spirit, and fantastic fundraising fun.
Louise Compton, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Salisbury Hospice Charity, said: “I’m amazed by the incredible generosity we’ve seen this year. The amount raised exemplifies how much Salisbury Hospice matters to the community, which is deeply heart-warming to see.
"The phenomenal support of local businesses and their networks means so much to us at Salisbury Hospice Charity. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”
Funds raised will help Salisbury Hospice continue delivering compassionate, specialist care to patients and their families across the community.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our five brave prisoners:
• Karen Deighton, Chair of Business Through Referrals (BTR)
• Shirley Hollis, Director at Xeinadin
• Chris Savage, Client Director at Fawcetts
• Carol Musgrove, Functional Assessor at Serco Group Plc
• Dan Wilson, Head of New Business and Growth at Steele Rose
Additional thanks go to the team at Salisbury Guildhall, PC Rachel Wood and her fantastic team at Wiltshire Police for volunteering their time, town crier Jef Hutchby, our fabulous Magistrate Wendy Warwick White, Scott and the team at Workout Lab for keeping our prisoners active, and Oz at Ozweld International Ltd.
Salisbury Hospice Charity also paid thanks to Nole Pizza, Reeve the Baker, and Tesco Extra Salisbury for generously donating food to keep the prisoners and volunteers fed.
The event was also supported by photographer Mark Rodgers from Atlas Photography, Court Clerk and Trustee Stella Sykes.
As the five resume business as usual, there is still time to donate by visiting: www.salisburyhospicecharity.org.uk/meet-the-prisoners
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