Six representatives from the local business community were arrested, put on trial and locked up for their fictitious crimes on Friday when they took part in Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) Jail and Bail fundraiser in Bodmin.
Passers-by had to look twice as they saw the six being marched through Bodmin town centre on their way to their mock trial at Bodmin Jail.
Put on trial were Simon Jones from Wildanet, Gareth Looker from Looker Marketing Communications, Darren Buckley from Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Hicks – Grand Worshipful Master of the Mark Master Masons and Mike Bee and Spencer Woods from Big Box Advertising.
Their ‘crimes’ included taking too many selfies, attending too many networking events and eating too many biscuits. Following the trial, led by Leanne Elliott who played the judge, all prisoners were found guilty and sentenced to four hours in jail where they had to raise minimum bail of £999 to be released.
Simon Jones from Wildanet said: “Of all of the charity events I have ever been to this is the best organised, the most fun, the most bonkers and possibly the most rewarding as well.”
By the end of the day over £7k had been raised by the prisoners with donations still being made by their friends, family, colleagues and connections.
Kiley Pearce, events fundraiser for CHSW, said: “This event is always a lot of fun but at the heart of it vital funds are being raised to help families whose child faces a devastating diagnosis. The funds raised from this event will help those families to make the most of the short but very precious lives of their children with help from our hospices including Little Harbour in St Austell.”
