# Charity Commission warns of bogus UK floods charity

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/12/17/charity-commission-warns-bogus-uk-floods-charity/
- Published: 2004-12-17T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

A Manchester-based scam claiming to raise funds for those affected by the Boscastle
flood is conning the public, the Charity Commission announced today.

The UK National Flood Appeal Fund is not a registered charity, says the regulator,
which wants to make sure that potential donors are well aware of this fact.

 

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The Commission’s announcement follows a BBC documentary, “Boscastle at Christmas”,
transmitted earlier this week which has placed Boscastle back in the public eye.
People who want to give money to a genuine cause should give directly to the local
council’s fundraising body [North Cornwall Flood Appeal](http://www.ncdc.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=9675),
which is appealing for funds to help regenerate the deluged town.

 

 

Head of Status at the Charity Commission, Jane Grenfell, said: “We received an application
from the UK National Flood Appeal Fund and have given advice to the group, but it
has not responded. This appeal fund is not set up as a charity and we have no choice
but to refuse the application. We always want to encourage people to give, but to
give safely and to a registered charity.”

 

 

The Commission advises that if you have any doubts about the legitimacy of an appeal
or collection contact your local trading standards office, the police or call the
Commission’s helpline on 0870 333 0123. Being able to provide the leaflet and any
additional information, such as registration numbers for vehicles used, is also 
very helpful to these agencies.