No tears were shed when Ian Lawman, a British TV psychic and exorcist, was laid to rest on a windswept hill in the West Midlands today. I was among those who attended his interment, which turned out to be a fun event for all involved, including Ian. In fact, he happily posed for photographs before his burial (that’s me, with him, left, an hour before he climbed into the coffin).
As you will have guessed by now, Ian – whose TV appearances have included Most Haunted, I’m Famous and Frightened, and Fit and Fearless – was not dead when they buried him. And he doesn’t plan to be dead when they dig him up again in seven days’ time.
So why has the self-styled “bad boy of the psychic world” decided to subject himself to the ordeal of being entombed in a coffin six feet underground, beneath two tonnes of soil? To raise £10,000 for The Blue Lamp Foundation, which was set up by PC David Rathband for injured emergency service workers after he was blinded when gunman Raoul Moat went on a rampage last year. Visitors who contributed to the charity were asked to sign the coffin lid (below right) before it was placed over Ian.
The buried-alive event took place in the ruins of Dudley Castle, which in parts is almost 1,000 years old and is regarded by some as one of the most haunted castles in England.
Ian’s burial coincided with a Fright Nights event at the castle, including a ghost tour, “vigils”, and other allegedly paranormal goings-on. I don’t have a very high opinion of such capers, nor of the psychic abilities of those involved, and nothing I saw at Dudley Castle has changed my mind.
But I won’t let that detract from my respect for someone who’s prepared to spend seven days below ground in a box in order to raise money for a good cause. If you want to give Ian’s feat of endurance your support and help him reach his target you can do so here.
UPDATE: 9 April: Well, he did it! Congratulations, Ian. After eight days in the coffin, during which time visitors were able to peer down at him while others from around the world could see him on a webcam link, Ian Lawman stepped out of his “prison” last night and into the welcoming arms of friends and well-wishers, looking remarkably fit and agile. You can see video clips of the start and finish of his endurance test here. He is hoping to raise £10,000. So far, the total donated is in excess of £2,370.