In a shocking development, The Sports Office co-owner Andy Clarke will be sent to jail this Friday.

Clarke will be put behind bars at Leyland Police station, just a few miles from the company’s Wigan HQ. He will be forced to swap his normal business attire for prison uniform and will be incarcerated in a cell.

But it has emerged he does have hope of a quick release (very quick in fact!). If Andy Clarke is able to pay £10,000 in “bail” he will immediately go free. An urgent public appeal has now been launched to raise the money.

And, in another surprising development, it has also been made clear that all cash raised will actually go to Derian House Children’s Hospice.

This is an amazing facility in Chorley which provides vital care for terminally ill children and young people. The Hospice supports hundreds of families in the local area and across the North-West.

Andy Clarke explained: “I’m sorry to anybody who really does want to see me behind bars but this is actually part of the ‘Go to jail’ for Derian House project.

“It’s an attempt to raise some much-needed funds for this local hospice which provides such amazing support in our community.

“However, I definitely won’t be released from ‘the nick’ until the £10,000 target is reached, so I am appealing to everyone to help raise the money.”

He added:” I know people will already support many important charities but I would ask that everyone is as generous as possible for Derian House.”

If you can help “free” Andy Clarke and help Derian House Children’s Hospice at the same time, please go to this Just Giving page to make a donation.

More about ‘Go to jail’ for Derian House

When people are found guilty of “dastardly” crimes, they are banished to the cells, only to be released once they have raised over £999 in bail money.

All money raised goes directly to Derian House Children’s Hospice. They care for children and young people aged 0-26 years old with life-limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families. Derian House currently supports 350 families from across the North West as well as a further 104 through our Derian at Home community team.

This costs them £4 million per year or £10,800 per day, and they receive less than 10% through statutory funding. They rely on the generosity of the community, and events such as this, to raise the remainder.

SUCCESS

The inmates raised a grand total of over £35,000 (including Gift Aid) for Derian House Children’s Hospice. Thank you to all those that donated and continue to support this great cause.

You can read more about the important work done by Derian House here.