The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife fashion show event falls foul of charity body
Group made famous by royal matchmaking role has failed to lodge accounts prompting probe
A student fashion show in which a young Kate Middleton caught the eye of Prince William could be struck from the charity register.
Dont Walk has failed to lodge accounts with the charities regulator, and a warning has been issued it could lose its charitable status.
The annual show, organised by students of St Andrews University, has raised more than £220,000 since it was launched in 2002.
While they were students at St Andrews, where they met, the Duchess of Cambridge modelled a revealing dress in the show attended by her future husband.
The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator confirmed it was in contact with organisers regarding the lack of disclosure.
Dont Walk attracts media interest from around the globe and has featured in the pages of Tatler and Marie Claire.
The St Andrews fashion show in which the Duchess of Cambridge caught her future husband’s eye could be stripped of its charitable status.
Dont (sic) Walk is almost a year late in lodging accounts with the charities watchdog Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
A warning has been issued that failure to comply could result in it being ditched from the charity register.
In 2002 while they were students at St Andrews University, a young Kate Middleton famously modelled a revealing dress in the show as Prince William watched from the audience.
Since it was launched shortly after the 911 terror attack in 2001, the annual event has raised more than £220,000 for national and international causes.
Charities are required by law to provide the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator with annual reports and accounts.
OSCR said it was in contact with Dont Walk regarding the lack of disclosure.
A spokesperson said: “If a charity’s information is not sent to us within 10 weeks of the deadline date the charity will be shown as defaulting on the Scottish Charity Register.
“This means the charity has defaulted on the legal requirement to provide OSCR with annual reports and accounts, which is a breach of the charity trustees’ duties.
“This is misconduct and we have powers to take action against charity trustees where appropriate and proportionate.
“Without this information we may conclude that a charity is not carrying out activities to advance its charitable purposes, is not providing public benefit and therefore does not meet the charity test.”
Dont Walk is one of several fashion shows organised annually by St Andrews students.
It has attracted media interest around the globe and regularly receives sponsorship from world-renowned brands.
As well as acting as a platform for up-and-coming designers it showcases well-known labels.
Organisers of the fashion show were contacted for comment at the weekend but did not respond.