Prison helps Pudsey
14-11-2007
Staff and prisoners at HM Prison Wolds are working together with local businesses and Driffield school to stage events and raise money for this weeks Children in Need Appeal.
A number of fundraising events including a wet sponge throwing at an officer raffles and competitions are being undertaken to raise at least £1500. One prisoner custody officer has played a 12 hour Badminton Marathon against prisoners and raised £500.
Billy – not his real name says:
The idea to do a fundraising event for Children in Need came about last year as I sat in my cell watching the demise of the Fairpack Hamper Company. A young boy was crying because he thought Santa wasn’t coming at Christmas. The whole thing brought tears to my eyes and the next day I asked Sandy Watson from the learning and skills department if there was anything we could do to try and raise some money to help children.
We decided to focus on Children in Need 2007 and came up with the idea of doing a Wolds Has Got Talent competition inviting prisoners, staff and involved members of the public to take part.
I think that everyone who has been involved has taken great pride and pleasure knowing that we are giving back something to society.
We are in prison through faults of our own but there are so many children who live terrible lives through no fault of their own.
We are in prison through faults of our own but there are so many children who live terrible lives through no fault of their own.
I hope that even the worst cynic will not deny us the chance to let society know that we do care and that we are proud to be able to contribute to Children in Need
Prison Director Dave McDonnell says “The prison learning and skills department has coordinated this years fund raising for Children in Need. Many of our staff and prisoners realise there are lots of young people who need a helping hand and are less fortunate than ourselves.
Over the past month and in particular this week we are doing all we can to raise as much money as possible for Children in Need. On the 16 December HM Prison Wolds is hosting a Talent competition with staff and prisoners competing together. Driffield school are providing support for the event which will have an audience of staff and prisoners families.
We hope this will be a fun way of raising money for charity but also the serious point into remind us all of our social responsibility”.