Police and pals plan prison escape

Thursday, 08 July, 2010

Steer clear of Southend police station - there's going to be a jailbreak.

But it won't be thieves and drunks fleeing the cells, just 20 police officers and friends who will be raising money for Southend Hospital.

They aim to get as far from Southend as they can in 24 hours without parting with a penny - and mainland Europe or even the USA are possible destinations.

The jailbreakers will burst from the police station at noon on August 23.

Their ringleader will be custody sergeant Chris Bramhill, who has been locking up Southend miscreants for the past four years.

Chris is organising the event to help Southend Hospital's appeal for two new scanners. He said: "My mum - Pam Bramhill - is being treated at Southend at the moment. The hospital are giving her superb care, but they need these scanners to make their service even better.

"The scanners detect cancer in its early stages. This means that some patients don't need as much treatment - and it can even help towards an early cure."

Chris said: "Our jailbreaking teams, each of three people, have to scrounge lifts, train journeys, flights or sea voyages to be as far away as they can by noon on August 24.

"My colleagues are an inventive bunch and I wouldn't put it past some of them to reach major European capitals or even America.

"We really want to raise as much money as possible and for hundreds of Southend people to benefit from the scanners."

Chris and fellow jailbreakers are raising money via the internet.

To contribute, go to:

www.justgiving.com/southend-police-jailbreak

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