The first ever charity Jailbreak event at Old Lifford Courthouse has raised over €7,500 for Donegal charities.
The jailbirds returned to the Courthouse last week, on their best behaviour, to proudly collect cheques for their chosen causes.
The thirteen unlucky inmates were well-known faces from Donegal life and social media, including TV presenter Grainne Gallanagh, Highland Radio presenter John Breslin, boxer Jason Quigley, digital media guru April McManus, local singer songwriter Kenny Crawford, Donegal Woman editor Rachel McLaughlin, No Barriers founder Johnny Loughrey, sports manager Patsy McGonagle, Irish influencer Caoimhe Harkin, Donegal Coolest Place on the Planet host Erin McGinty and the Viking Dippers trio Paddy Browne, Bobby Roberts and Frank Power.
Their chosen charities included Donegal Hospice, Cancer Care West, ALONE Donegal, No Barriers Foundation, Breast Cancer Research, Asthma Society of Ireland, Little Angels School, Ohana Zero Suicide Training and Rocco’s Road To Recovery.
Gillian Graham, the manager of Lifford Old Courthouse, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how the Jailbreak event went. It was great to be able to showcase what community run social enterprises like ourselves are able to do, and raising such a phenomenal amount of money for charity was incredible.”
The charity event was made possible under the ARISE Programme, which aims to raise awareness for social enterprises throughout Ireland. Established over 25 years ago, Lifford Old Courthouse has an overall objective of preserving the historic building, creating local employment and promoting arts, heritage, culture and community throughout Lifford and the surrounding areas. The east Donegal social enterprise employs ten staff.