Thousands given to anti-bullying organisation by Children In Need

Turner was asked to resign from Action 4 Bullying last September.

Fisher resigned last May – two months before the scandal was exposed.

He claimed he was bullied out of his job. He alleged he had been the victim of a witch-hunt and spoke candidly to our reporter.

“The police have said they can see exactly what’s going on,” he said at the time. “Those concerns have come directly from parents about issues that have happened since I left the organisation.

“This is all very much a personal attack.

“I have a meeting with the police on Tuesday to clear my name – and ACTION 4 Bullying provided mentoring, support, day trips, courses and a youth club for youngsters.

Both schools and the police referred victims to the charity – and it has made a real difference.

Both Children In Need and the Big Lottery, who have ploughed thousands into the worthy cause, launched their own investigation last summer.

At that time, Children In Need had already handed the organisation £16,000 in instalments. It froze a further £5,000 due to be handed over last June.

A Big Lottery spokesman said it had awarded Action 4 Bullying £9,400.

In the past, West Midlands Police also weighed in with cash aid.

At the time, a Big Lottery Fund spokesman said: “We take very seriously our responsibility to ensure funding raised through the public for charitable work is being used for the intended purpose.

“We have been made aware of concerns about a grant awarded to Action 4 Bullying which we are currently looking into. As such, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

When the storm broke, Action 4 Bullying attempted to continue and re-open key revenue streams, but the damage had been done.

All members of the 12-strong band of volunteers worked free of charge, but were entitled to expenses. Those expenses were scrutinised by police.

The new management team revealed they were particularly concerned by a £900 lunch bill.

They said: “We have a lot of support from parents and have done the right thing throughout. We now have a new process in place. We have implemented changes. Before, there was no one to sign off expenses. We have changed that process.

“Things were being done the wrong way, but we have put them right. The main thing is to renew confidence in those who fund us, including Children In Need. We need to convince them we will not repeat the mistakes made before. We have people from outside organisations who have a lot of confidence in us.

“With the support shown by parents, we would be silly to stop. “There is a real need for what we do. There is no organisation like ours in north Birmingham. The parents have given us an outpouring of support.”

The team stressed that Fisher was offered help, not bullied.

Following this week’s court appearance, one parent whose child received help from Action 4 Bullying said: “I am disgusted and disappointed with their behaviour.

“They were there to help vulnerable children at a time when they needed someone.” have an excellent reputation which you can feel free to research. I was only at the Queen’s garden party last week for my work for the community.”

Mr Fisher said that Action 4 Bullying had been his life.

And there is no doubt he enjoyed his profile as a leading light in the charity.

After the royal garden party, he tweeted: “Such a lovely day at Buckingham Palace. I’m far from perfect, but my passion for the work I do cannot be questioned.

“I make mistakes, but I always learn from them and put them right.

“Isn’t that what life is about?”