2/17/2010 1:43:00 PM Celebs to be 'locked up' to raise money for PRIDE
* Photo by Sarah Lagan. The face of innocence: E. Michael Jones made several attempts to escape last year after being tried as part of the Celebrity Lock-Up.
Bermuda's celebrities will be facing the clink in PRIDE's second annual Celebrity Lock Up.
The event has been organized to raise money for the drug prevention charity and raise awareness about the problem of drugs on the island.
Famous faces and business leaders including Bruce Barritt, senator Michael Dunkley, Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling, Patrina 'Power Girl' O'Connor, Shaun Goater, and father and son pair Ralph and Brenton Richardson will be publicly "arrested", transported to jail and tried for their knowledge, or lack thereof, the impact of drug use in the community.
Only by raising sufficient bail from friends, family and business associates will the participants be able to get out of jail. It is hoped that $75,000 will be raised through the mock court trials at Shed Number 6 on March 12.
PRIDE is still looking for further celebrities to stand trial and help raise money.
"Last year's event was such an incredible success, we had to do it again," says Judith Burgess, executive director of PRIDE Bermuda.
"The Celebrity Lock-Up is a fun and yet educational way to raise funds for PRIDE, while also involving local celebrities and the community in the awareness-raising process.
"Our goal as an organisation is to enable adults and youth to learn and share solutions to promote drug prevention so that we can make our community safer, healthier, and more productive.
"We are asking for local celebrities to volunteer for this event, and we encourage members of the public to come out and participate as well, whether by posting bail for a friend or colleague, observing the celebrities in 'jail'. As evidenced by E. Michael Jones' attempted jail break last year, it promises to be an interesting and surprising event!"
Last year's Celebrity Lock-Up event raised $50,474.63.
To volunteer for the Celebrity Lock-Up or for more information call 295-9970 or email: info@pride.prevention.bm.
The second annual Celebrity Lock-Up takes place on Friday, March 12, from 11am to 2pm at No. 6 Shed on Front Street.
