WAR DECLARED ON BOGUS CHARITIES
MILITARY VETERAN IN DONATIONS ACTION CALL Ex-Black Watch major demands crackdown
A BLACK WATCH legend has demanded a blitz on bogus military charities, claiming they are destroying genuine fundraising efforts for veterans.
Former Army major Ronnie Proctor – who served nearly 40 years in the famous regiment – has demanded action against “questionable” charities whose collection methods have been dubbed “pushy and bordering on aggressive”.
Councillor and veterans’ campaigner Ronnie, 72, has lodged a motion with a council calling for an urgent crackdown.
He said: “At one time, a Walter Mitty character was easy to spot. He would be festooned in medals it would have been impossible for him to have earned.
“Now it ranges from people purchasing and wearing unofficial commemorative medals through to organisations who collect money and take anything up to 80 per cent of funds in management fees.
“Our armed forces do an amazing job defending our way of life when called to do so. They are rightly admired and when leaving the forces, they take transferable skills with them to the benefit of employers and the wider community.
“The issue of Walter Mitty characters and pseudo charities needs to addressed so people are confident their charitable donations are put to good use.”
His motion – to be delivered to Angus Council on Thursday – also instructs the chief executive Richard Stiff to write to Veterans Minister Keith Brown and ask the Scottish Government to examine ways to combat sham charities.
Ronnie’s move comes amid growing concerns that rogue fundraisers are pocketing millions of pounds intended to help wounded war veterans.
Support The Heroes was closed down on the eve of Remembrance Sunday last year after they were exposed for allegedly misleading the public over how much money they give to good causes.
Two more military charities are also being investigated after failing to pass on the vast majority of money they collected. According to the Charity Commission, who regulate fundraising, one group – Our Local Heroes Foundation – received £500,000 in donations in 2015 but spent only £10,000 on projects to help veterans.
Support The Heroes was set up in 2014 to help veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. They have been ordered to suspend operations after a BBC probe filmed collectors falsely telling members of the public every penny they donated went to good causes. The charity pays 33 per cent of everything it collects to a fund-raising company Targeted Management.
The firm is run by Tony Chadwick, from Blackpool, who has denied any wrongdoing. An alleged conflict of interest is being probed as Support The Heroes is run by two of Mr Chadwick’s ex-business partners.