Behind Bars for Good! Overnight Lock-In Raises Money for Charities

A Care UK colleague has raised £500, donated across two crucial charities, after spending the night in a jail cell alongside nine other fundraisers.

Amy Thomas, a Senior Carer at Care UK’s Llys Cyncoed, is a self-proclaimed “goody two shoes”. Her sister shared the link to raise money for good causes through an overnight stay in jail, and Amy knew she had to take part. All funds raised were shared between two charities – the Forget-Me-Not Chorus and The Rescue Hotel for Dogs.

“I’ve always been a huge animal fan – I was a rescuer, and always bringing home injured wildlife,” Amy said, “My mum used to go nuts! And obviously working in the care home, I see a lot of residents living with dementia and how it affects everybody around them too – like family, friends and carers.”

Amy was ‘arrested’ and handcuffed with the other fundraisers, then put into the police cell, using the old cells at Roath Police station for her stay. During the evening, Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of Cardiff Councillor Adrian Robson and his wife, Lady Mayoress Jayne Robson, visited the group and thanked them for their efforts. The two benefitting charities were the Mayor’s chosen charities for the year.

Amy said: “It’s two worthy causes. Dementia affects so many people and in lots of different ways. Whether it’s their memory, speech, behaviour; it impacts everybody differently. There’s no cure, so my job is about enabling residents to live fulfilling lives during their time at Llys Cyncoed.”

Amy’s initial fundraising efforts came to £250, which was then matched by Care UK to create a total donation of £500.

The Lord Mayor of Cardiff said: “The Lady Mayoress and I would like to thank Amy for being such a good sport and spending the night in prison. We are grateful to Care UK for match funding £250, which will really help my two nominated charities.”