A CHARITY founder will spend a night behind bars– not because she has been in trouble but for a good cause.

If U Care Share Foundation co-founder Shirley Smith will spend tonight in a cell at Consett Police Station to raise awareness surrounding mental health and to raise funds for the Foundation.

It is the third year in a row that the station has opened up for worthwhile causes and Shirley is hopeful that spending the night behind bars will help get people talking about mental health issues suffered by those detained in a cell.

She said: “Some might not relish the thought of spending the night in a cell but some people with mental health issues simply don’t have the choice.

“I hope that as well as fundraising for If U Care Share Foundation with every penny raised helping to save lives and support those bereaved by suicide, we can also get talking about how we accommodate those with mental health issues when they are detained.”

The Chester-le-Street based foundation will provide regular updates of her night in the cells via their Twitter account @ifucareshare. It was set up in 2005 with three aims– suicide prevention, intervention and support for those affected by suicide. To support it text IUCS11 followed by either £3, £5 or £10 to 70070.