Captain Tom Moore charity suspends collecting donations

I read that Hannah had also claimed Covid furlough cash amongst other things to the tune of several thousand pounds. I'm not sure what her actual entitlement was though.

I had a feeling his family were a bit dodgy

Today there is an item on the BBC news website confirming that the money which was raised for NHS charities is not under investigation and stating that it has helped to fund thousands of projects.
As already mentioned - the Foundation is entirely separate

Yes, entirely different - the money he raised for the NHS went to NHS charities.

RVK1CR

AskAlice

All the information available makes me feel very uneasy...but I still hold Captain Tom in my heart. Let's see what the outcome is, as we can only speculate at the moment. I just wonder why it has been over a year since the Charity Commission investigation launched with no findings...

I am wondering if the Charity Commission are allowed to publish a list of where the donated money went. If it all went to NHS Causes, surely there will not be a problem with telling the public who received what, it is not as if the Foundation was making grants to individuals whose privacy could be compromised. I would like to see how much the people running it were paid and what other "expenses" were taken out of the funds. Some people who gave could ill afford to do so but wanted to help the old chap's appeal succeed as he was so old and made such a wonderful effort.

You’re confusing the money donated to NHS charities as a result of Captain Toms walk with the money donated to the Captain Tom Foundation which was set up after his death.

Two completely different things.

I was afraid people would do that☹️

AskAlice

All the information available makes me feel very uneasy...but I still hold Captain Tom in my heart. Let's see what the outcome is, as we can only speculate at the moment. I just wonder why it has been over a year since the Charity Commission investigation launched with no findings...

I am wondering if the Charity Commission are allowed to publish a list of where the donated money went. If it all went to NHS Causes, surely there will not be a problem with telling the public who received what, it is not as if the Foundation was making grants to individuals whose privacy could be compromised. I would like to see how much the people running it were paid and what other "expenses" were taken out of the funds. Some people who gave could ill afford to do so but wanted to help the old chap's appeal succeed as he was so old and made such a wonderful effort.

AskAlice

"Page cannot be found" message when I follow the link, RosesandLilac

Same here

We just saw this on the news and my hubby said “another example of why I don’t give to charity.”

He will only give stuff directly like some things we gave to a Ukrainian family this week who have finally got a home of their own and we drop in bags of horse feed to a horse charity in the winter.

Captain Tom was a goodie, his DD and DSiL are baddies.
Such a shame as it's horrible to feel cheated.

I agree AGA. The Foundation’s aims are very different to what Captain Tom walked for. ‘Inspiring hope where it is needed most’ is a bit vague. There is no doubt that family members have profited financially through their involvement. The Charity Commission refused to sanction a salary of £100k for his daughter. As I have an interest in planning I checked on the conditions of the consent for the new building in the grounds of the rather grand Old Rectory owned by his daughter and son in law. It was to be used for purposes ancillary to enjoyment of the Old Rectory so tied to ownership of that property, albeit that the planning application referred to use as offices and storage for the Foundation. The building originally approved has of course been extended without consent to include a spa, swimming pool and kitchen purely for private use and the planners have required the extension to be demolished. I have seen reference to a lease of the site of the building to the Foundation but no indication of the length of the lease and I’m too tight to check LR records. My bet is that it’s not very long - and does the Foundation pay rent? Assuming that the Foundation has funded the construction of the building, one wonders what return the Foundation might get on that expenditure. It was built on the site of a tennis court and a coach house let as holiday accommodation - given the addition of the kitchen, swimming pool and spa to the new building and the inability for the building to be occupied other than as ancillary to the Old Rectory, I’m rather cynical as to the longer term intention. I look forward to the outcome of the Charity Commission’s enquiries.

I will still think fondly of Captain Tom who didn't want anything for himself.
His memory shouldn't be tainted by what his family have done since.

so a foundation can be a cover term for a `charitable` organisation that can make donated money disappear into back pockets. Sickening

Made me think of archewell when I was writing that

For shame! They have let their dad down.

I had a horrible feeling the old lad s name was being exploited in some way by the family although I didn’t know how, or why I felt it The daughter and son-in-law law must be very bold thinking they would get away with it all the charities commission go through everything with a tooth comb

The accounts, covering its first year from 5 May 2020 to 31 May 2021, show the foundation handed out four donations to charities worth £40,000 each but spent £209,433 on support costs including £162,336 on ‘management’
I think they must be awful to exploit their dads name

So sad that Captain Tom’s memory is going to be tainted by the greed of his family. I am sure he would be horrified

charities are as corruptable as any other organisation,humans unfortunately, would AI running them be the answer!?

Juggernaut

I thought Captain Tom was a wonderful man, but have had doubts about his daughter and son-in-law from the very start.
Nothing about this latest news surprises me in the least!

You have expressed exactly what I think Juggernaut.

Wonderful old man let down by his family. Always thought they were up to something. Very sad for his legacy and good intentions.

Can we just be clear that all of the money donated for Captain Toms walk went straight to National Health charities, who then administered it. The family were not involved with any of that money. So I hope nobody feels they were taken in by that.

After his death the family set up the Captain Tom Foundation which was a totally separate thing that I can’t comment on because I don’t know.

But I’d hate anyone to think that their initial donation was a con. A member of my own family was greatly helped by one of the NHS charities so thank you to those of you who supported Captain Toms walk.

Initially the money raised went to existing NHS charities so probably went where intended. The foundation was set up later
and did seem a bit unnecessary.

Personally I try to give charity donations to small charities with which I have a personal connection, either as a volunteer or where I know the trustees personally. Even big well known charities sometimes get caught up in controversy though I do occasionally support them. It's very sad when people sacrifice to give to a charity then see the money misused.

I've been a treasurer of a small charity and a trustee and remember a time when well meaning volunteer fundraisers produced fundraising posters which were slightly misleading. I told them if that happened again they would have my resignation. All such materials should have been cleared by the committee. No money was misused it was just the fundraising posters were slightly unclear but I felt we couldn't be too careful!. I certainly didn't want us to be investigated by the charity commission!

Sassanach512

What exactly has the donated money been spent on so far?

The money went to NHS charities so I presume there must be a list these charities somewhere.

What exactly has the donated money been spent on so far?

I didn’t donate tho my friend did. I felt at the time his daughter was ‘in charge’, maybe it’s my suspicious nature. My friend thought I was a meanie but I’ve given to charities before then found the money was misused. £100 to the fund for helping those caught up in the storms and tsunami and many, many received nothing and are still homeless!

I am sorry that I was taken in and donated. Obvious now that it was a massive money-making scam involving the whole family

Sorry, I didn’t mean people on here, I should have said. I am referring to journalists and media people on Twitter who are now saying that they knew.