A NORTHUMBERLAND car dealer raised thousands of pounds for a hospice service after staging a successful charity night.
The UK’s leading criminologist, Professor David Wilson, returned to Blackshaws Nissan in Alnwick on Friday to chat about his work and his recent ITV programme, Bring Back Borstal.
The series followed young offenders who volunteered to experience the strict regime inside a 1930s-style borstal.
His talk at the Lionheart Enterprise Park dealership was a sell-out attended by 240 people and managed to raise £2,287.50 for HospiceCare North Northumberland.
William Blackshaw, Dealer Principal at Blackshaws Nissan, said: “Our showroom was absolutely packed for the evening.
“Professor Wilson’s talk was excellent. We’ve had lots of great feedback from people who described it as ‘fascinating’ and ‘thought provoking’.”
Following the talk, Prof Wilson enjoyed a lively question and answer covering aspects of his work as a criminologist.
In the audience were Nissan customers, a group of law students who had travelled up from Newcastle as well as those who had worked in the prison service and young offenders’ institutions.
Afterwards Prof Wilson signed books and had his photograph taken with the audience.
Mr Blackshaw added: “Prof Wilson was very generous with his time. We thank him for coming to our showroom and helping us raise so much money for such a good cause.”
