High Court Judge finds himself ‘behind bars’ for charity

The Northern Ireland Judiciary was ‘rocked to its foundations’ as a Northern Ireland Appeals Court Judge was committed to prison. Lord Justice John Gillen was locked up in prison - Crumlin Road Prison to be precise.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Sep 2014, 16:45 BST
A number of volunteers, including a High Court judge were locked up in Crumlin Road Gaol. Volunteers had to raise funds to pay an agreed bail sum, before being released. All for a good cause.A number of volunteers, including a High Court judge were locked up in Crumlin Road Gaol. Volunteers had to raise funds to pay an agreed bail sum, before being released. All for a good cause.
A number of volunteers, including a High Court judge were locked up in Crumlin Road Gaol. Volunteers had to raise funds to pay an agreed bail sum, before being released. All for a good cause.

He was joined with 6 other “willing” volunteers in agreeing to be locked up to raise funds for local children’s charity Abaana, to help children in Africa break free from poverty. Volunteers have to raise an agreed bail figure of £1,000 each before they are released. All funds raised will go towards building a new nursery school in Lweza, Uganda.

The current ‘nursery’ has a roof made of corrugated iron, the floors are bare earth and the walls consist of wooden poles, supporting the roof.

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According the UN, 1.2 Billion people around the world live in extreme poverty (less than $1.25 a day). Education is one of the keys to help break the cycle of poverty and the funds raised through this event will enable Abaana to build a new nursery school in Lweza, Uganda helping to educate 100’s of children every year giving them the tools to break free from poverty.

A spokesperson for Abaana said:“Being able to construct a purpose-built nursery school will literally transform the lives of countless children. We are so grateful to all our volunteers and their colleagues and friends for together raising funds and helping to build a ‘new’ future for children living in poverty in Uganda. While we accept that you cannot change the world, we passionately believe that you can change the world for a single child.”

Lord Justice Gillen said: “I am delighted to be able to lend my support and that of many of my fellow colleagues in the Judiciary and the Bar to help raise funds to provide the children of Lweza with a new nursery school and a better future…”

Abaana is planning one more “lock up day” and if you would like to nominate someone from you work, school, friend or family to spend the day in prison please get in touch.

For further information on how you can help to change the world for a child living in poverty in Uganda, please ring 028 91451918 or visit www.abaana.org

Related topics:Northern IrelandVolunteersUganda