Checkatrade.com reaffirmed its charitable commitments with another successful event, the Checkatrade Jail Break, which was held on Sunday 7th May in conjunction with West Sussex radio station, Spirit FM.
Money was raised for the Sussex Snowdrop Trust, a charity which helps children with life limiting illnesses and their families, with a total of £5,000 raised on the day, and more to come through bucket donations and further sponsorship.
Fundraisers, who were in groups of four, got into the spirit of things and dressed up in costumes such as Teletubbies, Scooby Doo and the gang, as well as fairies, pirates and the 118 118 characters, and all congregated at the Fontwell Park Racecourse. Participants became prisoners as they were whisked away by coaches, generously donated by Richardson’s, to a secret location. Their challenge? To make it back via any means necessary, without money or a phone!
This year, fundraisers were dropped off at Horley Tesco, and Winchester town centre. Teams always surprise with their methods of travel, and this year was no different, with trains, buses, ambulances, a police car and riot van, a supercar from nearby Goodwood, and a camper van used to make it back. Some even took to the water, negotiating the Isle of Wight on a hovercraft!
For some teams, there were personal links behind their fundraising. Susan Sayer, leader of Gracie’s Angels, said: “We had a wonderful day raising money for a fantastic cause. If it wasn’t for the Snowdrop nurses, we wouldn’t have been able to bring my granddaughter Gracie home from hospital due to their fantastic care and support which made such a difference.
“My daughter and Gracie’s mum Charlotte were also on the team, along with her friend Hannah, whose sister Kaitlyn was also helped by the charity.
“Gracie sadly passed away last August, so in her memory we try to do as much as we can and we wanted to give something back by taking part in the Jail Break; we can’t wait to take part again!”
Prizes were donated by Hotel Chocolat, The Jetty Restaurant at the Chichester Harbour Hotel, Fontwell Park Racecourse, Bognor Regis Tesco and Sainsburys Chichester. All in all, Checkatrade’s latest charity venture was a success, with money raised for a good cause and smiles on the faces of all involved.
For more information, visit: www.checkatrade.com
