Women prisoners step out for charity

Four female prisoners at Maghaberry prison have raised over £1,600 for Action Cancer after completing a 10-mile sponsored walk.

Both prisoners and staff dug into their pockets to sponsor the women on what turned out to be a more gruelling challenge than first anticipated.

The four took up the walk challenge while undertaking an overnight expedition - on campus - for their Duke of Edinburgh Endeavour Award. The women had already completed the other three sections of the award – skills, service and physical recreation.

However, the expedition section posed a problem. The prison had to seek special permission from the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme to allow the expedition to take place in the prison. Dispensation was granted and the women have now become the first in the United Kingdom to complete their Endeavour Awards while in prison.

As well as doing the sponsored walk the group also completed a number of personal and group challenges during the two-day expedition developing team working, leadership and communication skills.

The initiative was facilitated by staff in Maghaberry’s sport and recreation department.

(MB)