BUSINESSWOMEN were bundled into a police van and incarcerated in the cells of Oxford Castle's historic prison.

Helen & Douglas House hospice staged the dramatic scenes of disorder for its Jail & Bail fundraiser on Thursday, with seven participants including Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds.

Inmates raced against the clock to raise at least £999 from behind bars, using just a laptop and phone to rally for 'bail money.'

The prisoners dressed the part in stripey black and white costumes, and raised more than £6,000 for the much-loved East Oxford children's hospice.

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Ms Dodds said: "I spent the day ‘behind bars’ because Helen & Douglas House do great work supporting local children with terminal conditions and their families.

"Oxford residents may well be aware that Douglas House, which supported young adults, had to close due last year to a lack of funding.

"I took part in the event to raise money for the hospice and highlight the need for Helen & Douglas House to get appropriate and sustainable statutory funding in the future."

Adult services at the hospice had to shut this time last year, with bosses saying it was a necessary move to ensure the charity's long-term financial sustainability.

Both Ms Dodds and Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran lobbied for help for the hospice following the move, particularly calling for support from Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Ms Dodds completed the challenge alongside Lisa Armstrong of Active Staff Ltd, Mina Leal-Birch of Tamesis Partnership, Keeley Dennyschene of Hilton, Sian Pages of Not Just Travel, Ruth Hawkins of Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP, and Michelle Willis of Vodafone.

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They were all featured on the hospice's Facebook Live feed at 2pm on the day, desperately pleading to raise enough money to be released.

Ruth Hawkins said: "I have known many families that the hospice has helped, both personally and occasionally professionally.

"I can safely say it makes a massive difference to those families and children it works with.

"To spend a day in creepy Oxford Castle is a small price to pay to raise funds for this amazing charity."

Keeley Dennyschene added: "I am truly inspired by the work Helen & Douglas House do and for the last couple of years I have chosen them as our charity in both the hotels I work for."’

Hazel Bedford, director of fundraising and marketing at Helen & Douglas House, said: "The money that each ‘inmate’ raised will to help local terminally ill children and their families make the most of the time they have together.

"This would not be possible without amazing supporters like this."

She gave special thanks to Oxford Castle, Hilton Garden Inn in Abingdon, and Thames Valley Police, whose officers helped to make the experience as realistic as possible.