Tavistock county councllor Debo Sellis was among a group of town worthies begging for mercy from a judge when they took part in the Jail or Bail fundraiser for Children’s Hospice South West last Friday.

The lighthearted fundraiser was held at the refurbished Tavistock Guildhall, taking advantage of the authentic setting of the restored former town magistrates court and police cells for the jolly. Adding another authentic touch was PCSO Seonaid Greenwood who joined the eight ‘convicts’ as they undertook a ‘walk of shame’ around the town. They then repaired to the town hall to answer their crimes, all ficitious of course, which in Cllr Sellis’s case consisted of putting bubble bath down the public loos in town!

Also taking part were Mark Ackerman from HiQ Tyres and Autocare; Peter Hogger; Rebecca Garrett from RGM and Winning Moments; Warren D’Souza from Utility Warehouse; Clair Wellsbury-Nye from CLAIRWN Business + Marketing; Jo Lines from Ambition Growth Network; and Nic Thompson from Maplebrook Estate Planning.

Together they raised an impressive £6,250 to secure their ‘release’, all of which goes help the charity’s work with children suffering from life threatening and life limiting illnesses. Annabel Roberts, from CHSW, said: ‘It’s fantastic to bring this event to Tavistock for the first time in the fabulous Guildhall, the perfect courtroom. It’s been a fun day and a great amount of money has been raised. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported our prisoners.’