FRSB rejects sex discrimination complaint against Cancer Research UK event
Howard Lake | 13 September 2010 | News
The Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) has ruled on a formal complaint made against Cancer Research UK that it was acting unfairly in not accepting men to run in its 5km fundraising event, Race for Life. The complainant suggested that the charity’s approach might even be in breach of the Human Rights Act and the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act.
In its adjudication the FRSB Board considered the complaint in the context of the Fundraising Promise commitment “We are fair and reasonable”. Following a full review it was the Board’s unanimous decision that the complaint should not be upheld. It judged that there was no breach of the Fundraising Promise and that no further action was necessary.
The complaint had reached the final Stage 3 Adjudication level. A member of the public had complained first to the charity and then, at the suggestion of Cancer Research UK, to the FRSB, making it a Stage 2 complaint. The FRSB worked both with Cancer Research UK and the complainant to assess and resolve the complaint at this stage.
The charity explained that its market research indicated that making Race For Life a mixed event would dilute the event’s appeal and ability to raise as much money. It pointed out that it runs other fundraising running events that welcome male and family participation, including the men’s fun run Run For Moore; and that it encourages and supports individuals that wish to organise their own fun run events in aid of the charity.
However, the complainant felt the issue remained unresolved and requested that the complaint should be escalated to final Stage 3 FRSB Adjudication.
At this point, Cancer Research UK sought advice from the Equality & Human Rights Commission to check whether it was adhering to human rights legislation, and informed both the FRSB and the complainant that it was doing so. The Commission responded by stating that, in light that the charity provides events for both men and women, it had decided that it was complying with its obligations and that no action was required.
Colin Lloyd, Chair of the FRSB, said: “The complainant contended that Cancer Research UK was unfair in dealing with his request to participate in the 5K Race for Life and also breached the Human Rights Act and Sex Discrimination Act. It should be noted that the case files had a number of legal considerations and, although the charity provided positive information in this area, the board was mindful that it could not comment or act upon the legalities of the case as they were outside its remit. The FRSB is responsible for safeguarding and regulating best practice and standards in accordance with the Institute of Fundraising’s Codes of Practice and The Fundraising Promise. Having considered the case presented before it the board was unanimous that the complaint was not upheld and ruled accordingly.
“The board was encouraged that Cancer Research UK handled the case with sensitivity,” had added, “it presented exemplary best practice in complaint handling which the FRSB is committed to fostering across its membership.”
www.frsb.org.uk
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About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.