Call for action over town-centre chuggers

Investigation as people say they are put off visiting High Street

Shoppers have lashed out over “guilt-tripping” fundraisers asking people for money in Ashford High Street, as one shop gave them their marching orders.

The band of “chuggers”, who appeared outside Boots in Ashford High Street two weeks ago, are under investigation after complaints.

When our reporter attended the scene the fundraisers asked him to move on because it “made them feel awkward”.

Scores of residents have taken to Facebook to vent their frustration over the fundraising tactics, with one person saying it forces her to avoid the town altogether.

Linda-Jean Delport said: “It makes walking up and down town difficult and puts me off doing it.

“Yesterday, I was weighing up the option of ‘do I really need to go that way?’

“I think if we are trying to attract people to the town centre, this is certainly counterproductive.”

Anne Cooper said: “I avoid them as far as possible. I find some of them very intimidating – chugging should be banned.”

The company Personal Fundraising Services, which raises money on behalf of charities – the National Deaf Children’s Society in this instance – says it will investigate the complaints.

Hampshire-based Personal Fundraising Services said it apologises unreservedly if standards were not met, adding: “We take any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour extremely seriously and will be investigating these complaints urgently and thoroughly.

“Members of our team are expected to engage with the public in a responsible and appropriate manner, and we would apologise unreservedly if these standards were not met in any way.”

A Boots manager asked the group to move away from the shop door after customer complaints last week, according to the company’s spokesman.

Amid the snowballing frustrations, Ashford Borough Council has urged residents to follow an official complaints procedure should they feel harassed, adding: “It is important that the members of the public do not feel pressured or harassed into donating to charity, and can go about their daily business without inconvenience.

“If any member of the public has concerns or a complaint about the conduct of face-toface collectors, reports can be made by calling the Institute of Fundraising.”

It comes after the authority struck up a deal with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association, limiting chugging to Mondays and Wednesdays and a maximum of four fundraisers.

Complaints over fundraising can be made via the Institute of Fundraising on 020 7401 8452 or www.institute-of-fundraising. org.uk

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup. co.uk

‘Chuggers’ filmed in Ashford High Street