SALISBURY Hospice Charity’s Jail & Bail fundraiser made a triumphant return to the city centre last week.

Six ‘notorious’ business professionals were arrested for some seriously silly workplace crimes on June 13 – from sneaking out of work to do Pilates to disrupting boardrooms with relentless enthusiasm and inspirational quotes.

After being arrested, they faced their charges in a lively mock trial at the Guildhall, presided over by the formidable Judge Wendy Warwick White.

With crowds gathered, each prisoner was theatrically announced by town crier Jef Hutchby before the guilty parties were escorted to their cells at Live Escape Rooms by executioner Charlie Pitcher.

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£23,223.02 was raised in total, which will help Salisbury Hospice Charity continue delivering compassionate, specialist care to over 1,200 patients and their families across the community each year.

Louise Compton, corporate fundraiser at Salisbury Hospice Charity, said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible generosity we’ve seen. The amount raised is simply amazing, and it’s a real testament to the phenomenal support of our local businesses and their networks.

“Their dedication and enthusiasm mean so much to us at Salisbury Hospice Charity, and it’s heartening to see how deeply our cause resonates across the community.

“We couldn’t do what we do without them.”

Anthony Rice, senior manager at S&W, said: “I think everyone can reflect on what was a really fun team effort with a crazy amount raised for an incredible cause.

“The more I think about it, the more I think the idea itself is genius… It’s a laugh, a teambuilding exercise and a really good way of reaching out to a massive network raising awareness and funds, all rolled into one!”

The six prisoners were:

• Christian Airey, Business Director at Wessex Care
• • Andy North, President of Salisbury & District Chamber of Commerce
• • Martin Rossiter, Partner at PKF Francis Clark
• • Dave Hearn, Director of Sarum Properties
• • Anthony Rice, Senior Manager at S&W
• • Craig Haywood, Store Manager at Tesco Extra Salisbury

Salisbury Hospice Charity thanked Salisbury Guildhall, Claire and Charlie Pitcher of Live Escape Rooms Salisbury, Wiltshire Police and PC Rachel Wood and her team, Wendy Warwick White, as well as Nole Pizza, Reeve the Baker, and Tesco Extra Salisbury, for generously donating food to keep our prisoners and volunteers fed.

There’s still time to donate via www.salisburyhospicecharity.org.uk/meet-the-prisoners/