Chris Wilder is a fundraising felon

14th March 2018

Chris Wilder is getting ready for a spell behind bars, however it's all in aid of Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.

The Sheffield United manager has agreed to be one of 12 fundraising felons locked up on 4 April in Rotherham. The dirty dozen will arrive at Bluebell Wood in the morning to discover they are charged with a range of crimes. They will be taken in police vehicles to Hellaby where they'll be met by a custody sergeant and have their charges read out by a magistrate. Wearing their prison uniforms, they will then be sent down to their cells. Together with his fellow inmates, Chris will be seeking sponsorship from now until then to help secure his release. The more each person raises to help the children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions supported by Bluebell Wood, the sooner he or she may be released. Chris and his partners in crime will only be bailed out later in the day when they raise at least £300 each in sponsorship. All money will help South Yorkshire's only children's hospice support families facing the toughest of times across the region. Chris said: -Bluebell Wood is a fantastic charity that Sheffield United does a lot of work with. Jail n' Bail is definitely going to be a journey into the unknown, but as a Club, we're more than happy to do whatever we can to raise money for this great cause. -I don't know what my chances of an early release will be. It might depend on the Club's results between now and then. As long as we raise a few quid and have some fun along the way, I'm sure it will be well worthwhile. Rachel Hodges, Senior Events Fundraiser, Bluebell Wood, said: -We'd like to say a big thank you to Chris and all our willing inmates for being such great sports and agreeing to be locked up for a day for Bluebell Wood. Not many people would volunteer their valuable time to be treated as criminals. However, they will also be making a big difference to our families, helping us to provide even more of the support they need, at the toughest times of their lives. If you'd like to help Chris Wilder or any of the dirty dozen towards their 'get out of jail free' cards, you can sponsor them now at www.mydonate.bt.com/events/jailandbail2018/456091 For more ideas to help Bluebell Wood support 250 children and young adults with life shortening and life-threatening conditions each year visit www.bluebellwood.org