A children’s hospice locked up nine ‘guilty’ businessmen and women in Oxford castle and prison as part of a corporate fundraiser.
For its Jail & Bail corporate fundraiser on Oxford based Helen and Douglas House ‘locked away’ members of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce or people connected to them.
The prisoners were arrested and charged for their ‘terrible crimes’, only to be released when they had raised £999 in bail money.
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The corporate captives included Paul Britton, CEO of the chamber of commerce group, Tom Botwell, CEO of the British Coatings Federation, Sarah Stevens, managing director at Sylo Beyond HR and Joanna DeBiase, managing partner at IBB Law.
Prisoner Paul Britton, CEO of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group said: “Everyone at the chamber is struck by the remarkable work of Helen & Douglas House, our chosen charity for 2023.
“So I was delighted to be invited to take part in the Jail and Bail and I am delighted we raised £14,000 for an incredible cause."
Also locked up were Laura Mortimer, partner at BP Collins, Harry Hamilton Jennings, a lawyer at VWV, Laurence Jennings, an Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue firefighter, Josh Houlihan, business development executive of Airdri and Neil Brookes, group executive director of Activate Learning.
The prisoners were picked up in the morning in a police van from Milton Hill House Hotel in Abingdon and escorted to Oxford Castle and Prison by Thames Valley Police on Wednesday October 11.
The judge accused them of their crimes and they were banished to their cell. They were locked up for the day with their only means of communicating being a phone and laptop.
To get themselves released from prison, they had to reach their bail money of £999 each.
Fellow prisoner Sarah J Stevens, Sylo Beyond HR said: “My crime? Without exception, eating the last biscuit in the packet and not replacing them.
“In my defence, I do share them. I didn't have much choice in getting involved in the jail and bail event, I was 'volunteered', however, I am honoured to raise money for this worthy charity, and as a mum I hope my small contribution can assist another family when they need it most.”
Ros Bowen from Helen & Douglas House said: “I would like to thank all these wonderful members of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and their networks who have took part in our Jail & Bail fundraiser and raised a massive £14,000.
“I would like to also thank the Milton Hill House Hotel for their lovely breakfast and Oxford Castle and Prison for allowing our ‘inmates’ to be resident there for the day."
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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.
Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1
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