Break Free for Weston Hospicecare in Weston-super-Mare

WESTON Hospicecare in Weston-super-Mare is searching for more inmates to take part in a charity Jailbreak.

The Uphill based hospice is searching for more people from across North Somerset to take part in the 2011 Jailbreak, from April 23-24.

It is the second year running the hospice has stage the event, after the 2010 jailbreak proved so successful.

Inmates will meet at Burnham-on-Sea police station on April 23 and will have until the deadline of the following evening, to get as far away from the station as possible.

The only catch is those taking part in a minimum team of two people, aged over 18-years, must not spend any money and

must beg and blag their escape.

Last year the winning team got as far as John O'Groats - the most Northerly point in the UK.

Elaine Turner, from Axbridge, who took part, said: "Me and my partner - who was dressed in a ridiculous orange suit and getting very inquisitive looks from passers-by, started off by getting a lift by car to Swindon, where we were met by a helicopter pilot who very kindly flew us to Oxford.

"From there, we were then driven all the way to Liverpool and then another lift to Blackpool, which is as far as we got.

"We didn't blag our way there, as such but it did take a lot of organising - we found that was a bigger challenge than the journey itself.

"All of the drivers and pilots were personal friends of ours who had all very kindly agreed to take us; it's not what you know, it's who you know and you'd be amazed at the generosity of some people if you're not afraid to ask.

"Oxford Airport even let us stay there for a while with our collection tins so we could raise even more money for such a wonderful cause - we raised over £1,000 in total."

All funds raised will go to the charity, which supports 1,300 people and their families every year who are affected by life-limiting illnesses such as cancer.

The hospice's annual running costs are around £3 million of which only 20 per cent is funded by the NHS therefore it relies heavily on donations from events like this.

To enter there is a minimum £10 entry charge and those taking part will be expected to get as much sponsorship money as possible to raise money for Weston Hospicecare.

For more information call 01934 423960 or visit at www.westonhospicecare.org.uk.