South Yorkshire woman to spend 50 hours locked inside glass box in David Blaine-inspired challenge

Mum-of-three Jayne Trueman is so determined to raise awareness about an issue close to her heart that she is spending 50 hours locked inside a glass box to prove her point.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Mar 2017, 13:28 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 09:55 BST
Jayne Trueman.Jayne Trueman.
Jayne Trueman.

The 43-year-old, of Swinton, near Rotherham, is to spend more than two days inside the 3x2 metre box in the foyer of the Tesco Extra store in Wath-upon-Dearne, where she works as a customer assistant.

She will enter the structure at noon on Thursday and will not leave until 2pm on Saturday, March 11. The challenge echoes a similar feat attempted by American illusionist David Blaine, who spent 44 days suspended in a glass box above the River Thames in 2003.

The glass box.The glass box.
The glass box.
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She is putting her life on hold for the stunt to raise awareness of autism, and the work that the national charity Caudwell Children does in supporting children with the condition.

Jayne, who has a 21-year-old son and two daughters, aged 14 and seven, said: "Autism is one of the country’s most prevalent disabilities with 133,500 children currently diagnosed with the condition in the UK.

“Although I don’t have a direct connection to autism I do appreciate that for some children it can be a challenging condition.

“People have told me that it can be a lonely place when your child is diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. I’m hoping that parents of children with the condition come into the store and tell me about their experiences."

The glass box.The glass box.
The glass box.
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She added: "I want parents to know that there is help and support out there from the charity. If my time being ‘Locked in for Autism’ highlights their work, and helps people to understand the needs of autistic children, then it will all be worthwhile.”

But she will miss some things during her stint.

“I’ll really miss my TV and in particular Emmerdale, which is one of my favourites. Natasha, my seven-year-old daughter will miss me a lot, but she’ll be coming in to see me in the box. My 14-year-old, Rebecca, is doing her Duke of Edinburgh at the moment and she’s going to come in to the store and do a collection to raise money for Caudwell Children.”

There will be no escaping her son, Joshua, though as he works in the store.

She said: "He will be able to tell my partner, Phillip all about what I’m getting up to and how I’m enjoying the challenge.”

People can raise money by donating to her Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/jaynelockedin

Related topics:AutismJoshuaSouth YorkshireSwinton