Concerns at legitimacy of fundraising stall

Dementia UK say they have never received any money from Poverty Relief

Suspicions have been raised over the legitimacy of fundraisers who set up a stall at a Dundee supermarket.

Poverty Relief operated stalls on several occasions in March this year at Tesco Extra, on South Road.

It claimed to be raising cash to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh and for Dementia UK.

But the dementia charity has confirmed they do not have any knowledge of Poverty Relief, nor do they operate outside the UK.

A website purporting to be run by Poverty Relief has also been suspended and it has not been possible to contact them for a response.

Dundee resident Graham Haddow was first to flag up the fundraisers’ claims to Dementia UK.

“In the time that I saw the stall there a lot of people were giving money to them,” he said.

“I first had doubts when I saw that they had one board saying they were raising money for those in poverty in Bangladesh then another board behind claiming to be raising cash for Dementia UK.

“I checked their website and it was written in poor English which again made me worried. In my dealings with Tesco, they weren’t able to clarify anything and just told me it was concerning. I felt I was just being fobbed off.”

The charity number given on the website was registered as a legitimate charity by the name of Nooria Mission, whose operating name is listed as Poverty Relief.

Nooria Mission’s website is also inaccessible and the only available contact number did not take any incoming calls.

Mr Haddow added: “If it isn’t a legitimate charity then it’s disgusting.

“They could be visiting stores all over the country and until they are rumbled they could just keep on going.

“I gave money to them the first time I saw the stall because my father-in-law has dementia.

“Who knows how much money they have collected if it is a hoax?

“There has to be a way to ensure people are giving money to a legitimate cause.”

Martin Bishop, director of fundraising and communications at Dementia UK, said: “We were notified that Poverty Relief were fundraising in Dundee and mentioning dementia last month.

“We then discovered their website stated they were working with Dementia UK, fundraising for projects in Bangladesh – we only operate in the UK.

“We tried to contact them but received no response and their website has now been suspended.

“We have received no money from Poverty Relief and are continuing to investigate the matter.”

A Tesco spokesman said: “We have clear guidelines for all our charity and community partners.

“This helps us ensure our customers and colleagues can support the local community in the most effective way.”

The UK Government’s Charity Commission has also been alerted to the concerns.

We have received no money from Poverty Relief and are continuing to investigate the matter. DEMENTIA UK

Picture: Bob Douglas. Poverty Relief operated stalls on several occasions in March at Tesco Extra, on South Road.

Martin Bishop of Dementia UK said they received no money from Poverty Relief.