Cells in the Male Division of the Old Dubbo Gaol were brought back to life on Wednesday as prominent members of the community were locked away in the name of charity.
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Fourteen people, including Dubbo Regional Council administrator Michael Kneipp, were proud to be involved in the event that raises much-needed funds for PCYC initiative, Time4Kids.
After being handcuffed by police at their workplace, participants were transported to the gaol and placed in their prison stripes. They then had to raise bail money in order to be freed.
Mr Kneipp was likely the happiest criminal you will ever see as he was guided out of the police vehicle with a big grin on his face.
He appeared quietly confident of reaching his $500 bail goal as he strolled around his cell intrigued by the wall hangings.
“The PCYC in Dubbo have really helped with nurturing youth and putting lots of time and effort into youth who have gone down the wrong path,” he said.
Andrew Bassett of Fitness Focus had experience on his side as he raised over half of his $2000 goal within an hour of participating.
But for first-timers like Jyie Chapman of Uniting the experience was a shock, leaving him questioning his weekend’s antics as he was handcuffed by police.
“It was pretty confronting when the police rocked up, I thought it was a stitch-up but they were pretty serous about it,” he said.
It was also a day of firsts for fellow participant Christy Seales of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
“It is the first time I’ve ever been in a police car, but this is for a great cause – what the PCYC do with disadvantaged youth is fantastic,” she said.
Christy aimed to raise $500 and within an hour had reached close to $800.
St Mary’s Primary School principal Luke Wilson was also lead away on Wednesday, to the cheers of 413 thrilled students.
PCYC manager Mark Nuttall said it had been a sensational day with well over $5000 being raised.
“The PCYC just doesn’t work without the police, the community and the club itself,” he said.