Independent investigation launched into accounts of Captain Tom Foundation
The Captain Tom Foundation was founded in June 2020 by the beloved army veteran's family, and aims to support the older generation and promote social inclusion.
A watchdog has announced it is to independently investigate The Captain Tom Foundation after concerns were raised over its accounts.
The Captain Tom Foundation was founded in June 2020 by the beloved army veteran’s family after he became a household name in a bid to continue his efforts, and aims to support the older generation and promote social inclusion.
But The Charity Commission – which is an independent, non-ministerial government department – has been working with the organisation since March last year after issues surrounding its governance arose, and now, following the publication of the charity’s accounts on Friday, which were widely publicised, the watchdog has confirmed a case has been opened looking at its regulatory compliance.
According to the published accounts – which cover the charity’s first year from 5 May 2020 to 31 May 2021 – The Captain Tom Foundation accumulated £1.1 million in donations, and paid out grants to four charities worth £40,000 each.
However, it also spent £209,433 on support costs – including £162,336 on “management”.
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Of these named management costs, £126,424 was spent on “fundraising consultancy fees”, and £20,884 was used in “advertising and marketing expenditure”.
The financial statement also showed reimbursement costs of £16,097 paid to Club Nook Limited – a company which is run by Captain Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore – and these costs were for said to be for accommodation, security ,and transport relating to Captain Tom “travelling around the UK to promote the charitable company”.
Today marks one year since the passing of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
On this anniversary, we remember a figure of inspiration who showed the world how much you can still achieve, even at the grand age of 100. He gave hope to the world and is dearly missed. pic.twitter.com/HB7nhmOeD7
— The Captain Tom Foundation (@captaintommoore) February 2, 2022
Speaking on the investigation, a spokesperson for The Charity Commission said: “We have been in ongoing contact with the trustees of the Captain Tom Foundation on its set-up and governance arrangements and as part of this work will now assess the charity’s recently submitted accounts.”
It said it had an open regulatory compliance case into the charity, but that did not mean it had made any finding of wrongdoing.
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In response, Stephen Jones – Chair of Trustees for The Captain Tom Foundation – said: “As a young charity, we have been working closely with the Charity Commission since we launched, and we welcome their input following the publication of our recent audited annual accounts.”
Captain Tom – who was born in Keighley in Yorkshire, and sadly passed away back in February 2021 at aged 100 after testing positive for COVID-19 – captured the hearts of the nation in April 2020 after he raised over £39 million for NHS Charities Together by walking 100 laps of his garden before becoming a centenarian.
After first receiving a title of honorary colonel, Sir Tom was then knighted by the Queen during a unique open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle in July 2020.
Featured Image – Captain Tom Moore
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Salford Red Devils granted another adjournment over unpaid debts
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils have been given one more adjournment and yet another stay of execution, being given another two weeks to find the money to cover their unpaid debts.
The local rugby league side, which has been wrapped in all manner of struggles both on and off-pitch over the past year or so, reportedly needs to pay around £700,000 to HMRC alone and still owes roughly £5 million in total to various creditors.
To no surprise, regular matchgoers, neutrals and even rivals alike have expressed their continued disappointment with the club, mainly at the lack of transparency and clarity from the organisation throughout this long, drawn-out process.
This is coming from a wire fan but no club deserves to be left in the dark even longer than they already have done it’s nothing but a disgrace to the sport of rugby those owners and the court should be ashamed of themselves.
Updating fans on social media, this is all the information they have communicated at this time: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that HMRC have granted the club a two-week adjournment, providing additional time in which to secure the necessary funds.
“We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution. Further updates will be shared as soon as possible.”
It’s worth noting that the current owners have reiterated that they inheited around £3m in existing debt before they took over the club, but assurances over their own investments have still come to nothing; meanwhile, with many still waiting on wages, players and staff alike have now left.
Having been propped up by loan players and emergency loans, the team is now closer to a skeleton crew than it is an outfit capable of competing in the premier division.
Either way, the outrage remains and is only growing stronger. One user wrote on X: “A good approach by them if they was legit would be to engage and bring in The 1873 to bridge the communication black hole (they created).
“The problem with that is if they did it would expose them for what they are… Extortionists using the club as a vehicle.”
More alarm bells were raised recently when assistant coach and Krisnan Inu – who was also director of the company set up to take over the business – withdrew himself from a key position behind the scenes.
Speaking of The 1873, the outspoken supporters trust took no time at all in issuing a response of their own, adding: “The judge presiding over today’s case has adjourned by 14 days. This adjournment has dragged the uncertainty on even longer.
“Every delay makes planning for 2026 harder and keeps the club stuck in limbo when it desperately needs clarity and direction.
“The fans, the players and the future all deserve better — The 1873.”
You can see the rest of their statement in full down below, but for now, what do you make of this seemingly neverending saga, Salfordians?
‘Christmas chaos’ on the cards as Manchester tram drivers vote on staging strike action next month
Emily Sergeant
There could be major disruption to festive travel in Greater Manchester next month, as hundreds of tram drivers are currently voting on whether to strike.
Almost 320 tram drivers are being balloted over working conditions and fears around fatigue.
The drivers – who are members of the union, Unite – all work for KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots in Manchester – and they operate trams on all routes in Greater Manchester.
As it stands, the drivers’ shift patterns currently mean they have to work 450 hours over a 12-week period, which results in some having to work 50 hours on, followed by just two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern.
Drivers also have fewer rest days compared to all other operational departments, and this is said to be causing safety concerns around fatigue.
‘Christmas chaos’ is on the cards as Manchester tram drivers are currently voting on staging strike action next month / Credit: TfGM
Drivers say they concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted and unable to have proper breaks, but after raising the issue with management, Unite has been told there is ‘no funding available’ to support any ‘meaningful’ improvements to working patterns.
Instead, management has asked drivers to start work earlier – which Unite says is only ‘adding insult to injury’.
The ballot is set to close on 11 November, and if drivers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could then begin in late November, causing widespread cancellations and delays throughout the region during the busy festive shopping period – particularly coinciding with Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets, known for attracting millions of visitors to the city each year.
“Any strike action will cause a great deal of disruption but it is entirely the fault of Metrolink, which is not taking the issue of driver fatigue seriously,” commented Unite Regional Officer, Colin Hayden.
Emily Sergeant -
10th February 2022 
