Commission urges charities to sign the Pledge

[THE CHARITY COMMISSION took the opportunity of Charity Fraud Awareness Week in October to warn charity leaders to protect their organisations against fraud and cybercrime, following the publication of figures showing charities reported almost £8.6m of funds lost to fraud in the last financial year.

The data from Action Fraud also showed that 1,059 separate incidents of fraud were reported by charities in the year to March.

Other figures show that around 65% of charities feel the pandemic has increased the risk of fraud. Charities expressed concerns that risk may have been increased as a result of more remote working and virtual sign-off processes.

Together with the Fraud Advisory Panel, the regulator urged all trustees to sign up to a new Stop Fraud Pledge, which commits charities to taking six practical actions to reduce the chances of falling victim to fraud.

The pledge includes measures such as appointing a suitable person to champion counter-fraud work throughout the organisation, performing stringent checks and due diligence and assessing each year how well fraud controls are working, what new risks there may be and what improvements are needed.

The Charity Commission’s chief executive Helen Stephenson CBE commented: “Charity is special – it delivers good to so many people’s lives and helps strengthen our society. When the public donate generously to charities it is because they want to make a real and positive difference to a cause they often care deeply about, and they want to know their money will reach the ‘front line’. “Sadly, as these figures show, there remain criminal individuals who would take advantage of organisations that seek to do good and of those that generously donate. “That is why I am calling on all charities to take the risk of fraud seriously by signing up to our new Stop Fraud Pledge and taking six simple steps to protect their charity. Combating fraud gives the public confidence that their money is safe, protects vital funds for charities and more widely helps maintain trust in the charities we all care so passionately about.”

David Clarke, chair of the Fraud Advisory Panel, added: “It is concerning that a small minority of charities still do not financially invest in fraud prevention activities. This shows that there is still more to be done. We encourage charities to sign up to the pledge to help protect themselves and minimise the risks.”

Charities that are concerned they have been the victim of fraud or cybercrime should report it to Action Fraud and as a serious incident to the Charity Commission. Individuals can also report phishing messages to the National Cyber Security Centre through the Suspicious Email Reporting Service. q

[LEGACIES MEAN SO much to the team at Last Chance Animal Rescue. These wonderful gifts have helped them to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home so many abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits and guinea pigs who otherwise would have had no future.

The charity understand the wishes of its kind benefactors who have considered them in their Wills. A spokesperson said: “We know they want their generous gift to us to be used directly to save lives, provide the very best of care and to find loving homes.

“Legacies really do provide the gift of life and Last Chance Animal Rescue can now, after much planning and prudent use of funds, offer our life saving services to so many more needy pets. We are delighted to announce we now have a second rescue and re-homing centre in Kent, giving hope and a true last chance to so many.

“Sadly we cannot thank those who have enabled this wonderful achievement but are extremely grateful to all those who are currently considering helping us now and in the future to continue our work.” q

[IN 2019, following the retirement of managing trustee Colin Cooper, some of the Heartbeat horses moved to a new home at Sink Farm in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Colin was very pleased to announce that the charity’s headquarters had moved to Hollesley where the current horses will live and be cared for alongside the wonderful Suffolk Punch horses.

Sink Farm is the colony stud for the Suffolk Punch Trust charity, who continue their important and essential work in preserving this unique breed. q • For more information on either charity please contact Tracey Pettitt, stud manager or David Clarke, finance director, on 01394 775495. Heartbeat Homes for Horses, Sink Farm, St David’s Lane, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3JR