Residents are being warned to beware of leaving clothes and bric-a-brac for bogus charity collection companies after a spate of collections were carried out in Babergh.
Numerous roads in Hadleigh and Sudbury were targeted with misleading leaflets in last six weeks by Fortune International Ltd claiming to be collecting unwanted clothes and items on behalf of the Children’s Welfare Foundation.
The leaflet stated that proceeds would be used to help terminally ill or poorly babies when in it appears that little, if any, of the money raised would have gone to support these charities.
Further investigation by Babergh District Council revealed the company’s collections were unauthorised because it did not have the proper permit issued, the charity had never filed any accounts and was having its charity status investigated.
The charity was struck off the Charity Register at the end of October after a ten month enquiry by the Charities Commission. Numerous complaints from up and down the country prompted the Commission’s investigation of the charity and its agent company, which is based in Bedfordshire.
Lee Carvell, Babergh’s Licensing Officer, said residents should save their donations for legitimate charities and collections and report any further approaches from Fortune International Ltd or the Children’s Welfare Foundation.
He said: “This type of company trades off of people’s goodwill and sense of charity but are collecting under false pretences and outside of the regulatory controls.
“There isn’t evidence that the proceeds from the clothing collected has been donated to – or helped - any of the charities mentioned on leaflets – and residents in Babergh should be wary of them.
“Anyone carrying out charity collections – either in the street or door-to-door – needs to have applied for a permit from Babergh and we are happy to confirm which ones are legitimate and which ones could be suspicious.”
Residents who would like to report instances of possible bogus collections can either call the Charities Commission direct on 0845 3000 218 or speak to a member of Babergh’s licensing team on 01473 826622.
Further information on which collections are legitimate – and how to apply for permits - can be found on http://www.babergh.gov.uk/. Anyone in doubt can also speak with Babergh’s licensing team who are happy to verify licensed collectors in the district. ENDS
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