Charities still think pressure tactics justified

TOO many charities think aggressive fundraising techniques are justified, watchdogs said yesterday.

Lord Grade, head of the Fundraising Regulator, said some still believe ‘the end justifies the means’.

But he warned the worst offenders that the public no longer wants to be ‘ bombarded’ with junk mail and unsolicited calls.

The regulator could fine charities up to £25,000 if they fail to comply with new rules introduced this week to crack down on nuisance requests for donations. The Fundraising Preference Service will also allow

‘Many still don’t get it’

members of the public to say they want to block charities contacting them directly by phone, email, text or post when it launches tomorrow.

Should a charity fail to comply it may be reported to the Information Commissioner by the regulator.

Lord Grade told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘Quite a few still have yet to get it – “we’re doing nothing wrong, the end justifies the means”. We hear that all the time from a few charities.

‘Many have embraced the new world but the charities have to understand that the fabulous generosity in the wallets of the British public can- not be taken for granted.’ Lord Grade said some charities have proven to be ‘ laggards’ in reforming despite several highprofile and tragic cases.

Public fury grew over the use of ‘boiler room’ call centres and other dubious practices following an undercover investiga- tion by the Daily Mail in 2015. It came after the case of Olive Cooke, a 92-year- old poppy seller who was hounded by charity fundraisers before she jumped to her death from a bridge. Former BBC chief Lord Grade said 2015 was an ‘annus horribilis’ for Britain’s chari- ties, when some were exposed for maximising fundraising without regard for the donors they targeted.

Under new rules those reported to the regulator will be issued with suppression orders giving them 28 days to stop unsolicited messages.