UTV's Julian 'banged up in need of bail'

Julian and a host of other local celebrities and business people are trying to stage a 'jail-break' to raise desperately needed funds for the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice.

They have been asked to hand themselves over into the custody of the PSNI on 30 November, and will be locked up in Belfast's Crumlin Road Gaol until they can raise £3,500 to secure their release.

The only connection the prisoners will have with the outside world will be their mobile phones, which they'll need to take pledges from the public.

Other inmates will include actress Olivia Nash, Miss NI Tiffany Brien, Rev Chris Hudson, Lady Elizabeth Bloomfield, Paul Martin from Mammoth Design Agency, Julie Martin from Massive PR and Robert Matthews from Pricewaterhouse Cooper - all locked up over bizarre crimes.

David Capper from Elmwood and Capper Funeral Directors will also join the jailbirds, after becoming the first person ever to be convicted of 'hearse racing'.

Every single pound of bail will be used to provide specialist care to local children, young people and their families.

NI Children's Hospice

The Northern Ireland Children's Hospice cares for over 250 local families every year.

It relies heavily on donations from the public to raise the £2.5m needed every year to maintain the services it provides and its fundraising manager says every pound makes a difference.

"We want everyone to get behind the inmates and help bail them out," Joanna Pawson said.

"This is a fun event which is made even more exciting by the range of characters who are willing to be locked up in support of Children's Hospice.

"My thanks go to all the jail breakers and also to the PSNI, Crumlin Road Gaol staff and our sponsor City Sightseeing for making this event possible."

Anyone who would like to make a contribution to the Jailbreak Fund can call Northern Ireland Children's Hospice on 028 90 781 836 or email fundraising@nihospice.org.