Jailbreak!

LITTLE Thetford university student, Maxine Hinks, is planning a jail break next month - in the name of Comic Relief.

Maxine, 21, will handcuff herself to a college friend and make a bid to travel thousands of miles in just 36 hours.

She and fellow students at Warwick University are aiming to beat the record set by Cambridge University undergraduates who managed to reach Tokyo.

'The Fugitives' dressed in prison-style boiler suits will take part in the challenge on March 10 and 11 to raise sponsorship cash for Comic Relief.

They will be given a copy of a daily newspaper and a disposable camera to record their journeys.

Maxine, of The Wyches, and her friends will have to travel as far as they can without money.

In the past students from the university have reached Egypt and this year the teams are hoping to travel even further afield.

Two years ago Maxine raised £600 for an orphanage in Peru by climbing the Inca trail.

She said of her latest fund-raising challenge: "We decided to do jailbreak because it's a great opportunity to do something a bit different and uncertain, for a great cause.

"I have always supported Comic Relief. I've dressed up, taken part in sponsored silences and two years ago I hitch-hiked to Dublin.

"I think it's a great idea as it unites people under the common appeal of fun and comedy and delivers to those people a serious message about the rest of the world, which sticks in your mind long after the laughter had dies down.

"In my experience even the most straight-faced teachers and stingiest businesses will dig deep and raise a smile for Comic Relief.

"Jailbreak is quite challenge. Its not a free holiday - we have no idea where we'll end up, no money or luxuries to take with us and may well be stranded on a roadside or in an airport for any number of hours. All we can focus on is getting away, how we'll get home will be somewhat of an afterthought!"

Maxine is looking for sponsorship and anyone interested in helping her meet her challenge can call 01353 649522.