As of 3pm on Monday afternoon 13 people, including a bank manager and school principal, were scheduled to do time in the cells of the Old Dubbo Gaol.

PCYC manager Mark Nuttall said the participants are to be arrested this morning – some unknowingly – and transported to the Macquarie Street facility where they will come before a judge and be handed their sentence. 

“They come in, have a photo in the stocks, see the judge and are given a sentence, locked up and can get on their phone and organise bail money,” Mark said.

“Some don’t know they’re being arrested – we’re arresting one school principal at an assembly and the kids don’t know about it.

“We’re also arresting a bank manager who doesn’t know.” 

On being placed in their cell the “prisoners” must use their mobile phones to contact the outside world and raise bail money.

One participant, Nick Sykes of Peppercorn and Redgum Childcare Centre, said he was happy to be involved in the fundraiser.

“They do great things down there at the PCYC and we support the local community whenever we can,” he said.

All money raised on the day through bail and donations will be handed to the Dubbo PCYC. The funds will assist the not-for-profit organisation in empowering “at risk” youth by developing their skills, character and leadership, and reducing and preventing crime by and against young people. 

In 2015 the event raised $12,500 and Mark said it is shaping up to be another successful day. 

He encourages people to come along to the Old Dubbo Gaol today between 9am and 1pm and donate to the cause.

“People can come along and donate, it is 100 per cent tax deductible,” he said.

“They can also phone the PCYC and pledge donation money which we can pick up or they can drop off at a later date.”