A remote lighthouse on the Shetland Islands will be the destination for three colleagues from Farleigh Hospice taking part in the fundraising jailbreak from Chelmsford Prison on Saturday, October 2.

Vannessa Adams, fundraising assistant, Dr Jean Maxwell, medical director and Kevin Wood, finance manager, are setting off on the venture to raise funds for the New Farleigh Hospice appeal, the Essex Chronicle's official charity for this year.

Their aim is to reach Muckle Flugga Lighthouse near Unst, in the northern part of the Shetland Islands.

The island was visited by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1869 and the map he used in Treasure Island bears a marked resemblance to Unst. The Muckle Flugga lighthouse was built in 1858.

The money raised by the trip through sponsorship will go to the New Farleigh Hospice and the Essex Association of Boy's Clubs, which organises the annual Jailbreak event.

Vannessa Adams said, "We are given 15 hours to escape from Chelmsford Prison without spending any money and it was suggested from the start that we went for an interesting destination, rather than distance, because this would have more impact for sponsorship towards New Farleigh Hospice.

"It has taken us since June to sort the entire route out and to make arrangements by asking people for help.

"We would like to thank everyone who has supported us because without them this would not be happening."

Money raised by the venture will help towards the £2.4m needed to complete the £6m New Farleigh Hospice currently being built on a site at Broomfield.

Published Tuesday September 28, 2004

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