The Charity Pages Issue 3

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Charitable thoughts...

Charitable donations in wills continue to occupy headlines. In November figures showed that the total left to charities in 2017 was nearly £3bn and this is expected to top £3.4bn by 2022. That is, of course, assuming an orderly exit from the EU. Brexit isn’t the only shadow being cast over the legacy market, however. The government has raised again the spectre of reforming the probate fee system (for ‘reform’ read ‘increase’) in order to fund other areas of court reform – a process a House of Lords committee has dubbed a stealth tax.

At least Inheritance Tax looks like it might be headed for a shake-up in the right direction. The Office of Tax Simplification has published its first report. The second is eagerly awaited.

One of the measures mooted for both Inheritance Tax and will-writing has been to put the whole process online.

As anticipated in the last issue of this supplement, the advance of charitable giving into the digital world is

proceeding apace. There is now a Charity Digital Code of Conduct that allows charities to assess their performance.

Trust in charities’ ability to govern themselves took a knock early this year, and it has been slow to return. In response, the Charity Commission has issued a new Statement of Strategic Intent – setting out what it sees as the responsibilities of both itself and of charities.

The document was introduced in a speech by Baroness Stowell in October.

Nevertheless, the head of policy and external affairs at the Institute of Fundraising, Daniel Fluskey, struck an unashamedly positive note in a blog celebrating the work of charity fundraisers.

In his introduction he declared: “A health warning: what follows is an unashamedly and deliberately positive take on fundraising, where it is and where it’s going.

If you want to read about why fundraising is going wrong and how it all has to change, you’ll need to find a different blog!”

In this issue...

CONTENTS 11

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Gifts in wills continue to rise – despite drop in death rates

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Income from legacies levels off

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Inheritance Tax: first OTS report welcomed by legacy sector

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Legacy campaigning week hits new heights – and gains a feline ambassador

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Resurrected probate proposals raise the same fears

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New chair welcomed by fundraising sector

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Regulator to name charities under investigation

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New document sets out Charity Commission’s five-year plan

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Most large charities are unclear on reserves, commission finds

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Antidote to shopping frenzy raises record amount

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Budget measures given lukewarm welcome

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Code of Practice brings charities up to speed on digital

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Charities warned to avoid selling used stamps to fraudsters

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Campaign targets charity fraud

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Governance code attracts cross-sector support

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Fundraising champion sees a bright future for the sector

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New minister welcomed by CAF

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Learn how direct marketing is still charities’ lifeblood

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Applications invited for Tampon Tax grants

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Who can predict the post-Brexit future?

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GETTING FROM THIS

TO THIS

TOOK MORE THAN T.L.C. Friends of the Animals is a practical and caring charity that works to alleviate the suffering of stray and unwanted animals. They specialise in ‘preventative’ work such as spays and neuters.

The charity was founded by Helen Sinclair MBE, who was honoured for services to animal welfare in 2014. She explained: “Neutering is the only humane way to reduce the numbers of unwanted animals and it improves the lives of animals already here. We work hard to ensure the areas we cover are kept stray-free and that in turn has a hugely beneficial effect on the whole community.”

The charity has negotiated much reduced ‘charity’ rates at a total of 38 veterinary practices in various parts of the country. They can also further subsidise those prices, making the cost of previously-unaffordable veterinary treatment attainable by those owners on even the lowest of incomes.

Helen Sinclair continued: “Since the charity’s inception in 1990 we have done well over 38,000 spays or neuters, and are willing to help anyone genuinely struggling to finance the cost of this vitally-important surgery: as long as they can reach one of ‘our’ vets.”

Veterinary treatment is their biggest outgoing and, dependent on funds, they also help with the cost of veterinary treatment for sick, injured and neglected animals – often finding they are an animal’s very last chance of life. They even operate a voluntary driving service that

transports owners and their animals to and from vets.

Said Helen: “Our wonderful drivers give freely of their time; all we ask is for service users to cover the cost of the driver’s mileage.”

They also help the public by loaning out equipment, such as carrying baskets and crates, free of charge. That eliminates the risks of transporting animals in cardboard boxes – which owners do all the time. They also check on owners who are struggling financially and help by donating items such as pet food and bedding.

Helen explained: “We were moved to tears when we discovered one elderly, recentlywidowed man. He had no food in the house and was feeding his much loved dog on the 'Meals on Wheels' intended for him.”

In addition, by utilising a network of capable foster homes, Friends of the Animals are able to provide a pet re-homing service. Foster carers look after mainly dogs and rabbits until a permanent home can be found. They also serve as a lifeline to the elderly and to people in hospital, or in short-term care in homes, as they provide a fostering service for their pets free of charge – usually for up to a month.

Helen concluded: “We truly appreciate that people have many choices of charities to support, but no one appreciates it more, or tries harder than we do to get the very best possible from every penny donated. Thank you for your consideration.”

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A lifeline for sick and injured swans [SWAN LIFELINE is the longest-established charity entirely devoted to

the care and needs of sick and injured swans. Their main aim is to rescue and treat swans and wherever possible release them back to the wild.

The charity was formed in the 1980’s by a group of dedicated people who had worked with Save Our Swans.

Kay Webb, one of the original committee, is current chairman of the trustees. She said: “The trustees are actively involved with the day to day running of the charity. In 1992 Eton College offered us a lease on ‘Cuckoo Weir Island’ on which to build a rescue headquarters and treatment centre.

“We have been operational on the site since 1993. It is possible for us to care for up to 190 birds at any one time in ponds and pens. We also have a specialist bird washing sink and an intensive care unit.”

The mute swan, the largest and best loved of British wild birds, which has thrived from its close proximity to human beings, suffers badly from man’s activities. Swans fly into bridges, hit power cables and land on motorways, mistaking them for water. There are also incidents involving attacks by dogs and deliberate vandalism.

Although much of the danger from anglers’ lead weights has been averted – thanks to the work of the charity, supported by government legislation and the angling community – swans still become entangled in discarded fishing tackle and plastic can holders. There is always a danger from chemical and oil pollution and collisions with rivercraft.

During the past thirty-three years many thousands of swans have been rescued and treated by Swan Lifeline. The majority are released back to the wild after treatment and the most disabled go to sheltered homes. “Our aim is to maintain a treatment centre in perpetuity, not dependent on any one person or group of people,” said Kay Webb, “legacy gifts can help us continue with our work.” q

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Gifts in wills continue to rise – despite drop in death rates [THE LATEST FIGURES on charitable

gifts in wills – released by Legacy Foresight in November – show that the public’s legacy donations raised £2.96bn in 2017. Figures are predicted to reach £3.4bn by 2022.

According to the Legacy Market Outlook 2018, gifts in wills now represent around 3.5% of all the money left in estates, up from 3% a few years ago. Although that is just a few percentage points, it is arguably one of the most important findings, demonstrating the British public’s increased generosity towards good causes. Legacies currently contribute 15% of all fundraised income and 6% of the total income received

by British charities.

Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, commented: “Legacy Foresight’s report underlines just how important charitable bequests are to the sector now and in the future, funding vital services across the country.”

Health charities benefit from the largest proportion of gifts in wills, with 38% of total legacy income, followed by animal charities (15%), conservation and disability (each receiving 8%).

Cope added: “Gifts in wills are the largest source of all voluntary income, and it’s by no means just the largest or long-established charities that are on the receiving end. Growth is seen across the sector and this is testament both to the public’s appetite for leaving a lasting gift, as well as to the hard work and collaboration of the nation’s fundraisers.”

The falling death rate appears not to have had a negative effect on legacies.

Meg Abdy, development director of Legacy Foresight, explained: “The number of deaths

per year has been falling for the past three decades, making it all the more impressive that the number of legacies received has been climbing during this time. However, this downward trend has now reversed.”

However, as in so many other walks of life, Brexit casts a shadow over the legacy sector.

Assuming that a Brexit deal can be reached by the March 2019 deadline, Legacy Foresight expects the UK legacy market to reach £3.4bn by 2022. However, if the UK ends up with a ‘hard’ Brexit – or no deal at all – legacy income is likely to be considerably less.

Meg Abdy continued: “The difference between a good and a bad Brexit for the UK legacy market is not insignificant. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and issue new forecasts if required.”

On the positive side, Legacy Foresight has upgraded its forecast of legacy bequests from 118,000 in 2017 to 124,000 in 2022.

Cope commented: “While Brexit and wider economic uncertainty may indeed have an impact on future legacy trends, the outlook remains positive with more and more charities benefitting from gifts in wills.” q

Income from legacies levels off [LEGACY INCOME in the year to 30 September, as reported

by the 83 members of Legacy Monitor – a benchmarking group of charities providing data for an annual report by Legacy Foresight – was £1.5bn. That represents a like-for-like increase of 3.7% on the year to September 2017. Legacy income is the income accrued from all legacies, rather than the amount left in a single year as legacies.

After three years of steadily rising bequest numbers there has been something of a levelling off, with bequests to consortium members totalling 53,850. Although on a year-to-year basis income is still growing, the annual rate of increase is falling and may even turn negative for the full 2018 calendar year. In addition, average residual values have now dropped back below the £60,000 level, averaging £58,600 over the past 12 months.

The reasons for the slowdown are a combination of a deceleration in the number of deaths and a weaker macro-economic climate as the

uncertainty created by the Brexit negotiations continues to dampen economic activity.

Total UK deaths are still relatively high at 620,000 in the year to September, partly a result of the cold winter followed by the very hot summer.

However, according to Legacy Monitor, the current ONS forecast for UK deaths suggests a fairly significant fall over the coming year; back down to 595,000.

“If there is a fall-off in deaths over the next year, we are likely to see a corresponding drop in the number of charitable bequests, which will in turn have a knock-on effect on legacy incomes,” the report says.

“We believe that the drop-back in deaths is a temporary correction on the exceptionally high deaths recorded over the past few years, and that over the next five years the underlying trend will still be upwards.” q

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Sending out an SOS for the owls [ESTABLISHED IN 2001, the Suffolk Owl

Sanctuary – known, appropriately, as SOS – operates a comprehensive facility for the rescue, care and rehabilitation of owls across East Anglia.

It also promotes the need for the conservation of endangered owl species throughout the UK and beyond with its Saving Britain's Owls initiative.

The sanctuary’s owl and raptor hospital at Stonham Aspal is unique in the region. It is specially equipped for the care and treatment of the many injured wild owls and other birds of prey that are brought there every year. The reasons for their being there include road traffic accidents, mishap, starvation, trauma, disease, poisoning and sometimes even shooting or trapping.

Many of the birds can be given a recuperative, short-term pick-me-up before being re-released into the wild. Those that are more seriously injured but stand a chance of recovery are given medical aid and/or surgery, as determined by the hospital’s vet. They are then allowed space and time to fully recuperate in one of the secluded recovery aviaries, before being carefully returned to the wild.

SOS also operates a wild owl nest box scheme, in conjunction with volunteers from the Thornham Owl Project. That includes building and locating long-lasting, environmentally-friendly nest boxes in appropriate locations, to replace the gradual erosion of natural nesting sites. It also involves the careful monitoring of nesting activity within the scheme, for the annual reporting of raptor population information to regulatory authorities.

SOS is funded purely by donation, and like many small charities faces an on-going, uphill struggle to survive. q

Make a lasting contribution to family life

[MOTHERS’ UNION is a movement of over four million members

who won’t stand to see families suffer. In 84 countries their Christian faith inspires them to serve their communities, helping people of all faiths and none.

Together they change the lives of over 750,000 people each year; and because they work in the heart of every community the impact lasts a lifetime.

Leaving a legacy to Mothers’ Union means helping to ensure that no family has to struggle to get from one day to the next. You will help families get the support they need, long into the future – through projects such as parenting programmes, literacy circles, family centres in prisons and much more.

Leaving a legacy of any size is a lovely way to make a lasting contribution to family life, all over the world. q • For further information on leaving a gift in your will to Mothers’ Union tel 020 7222 5533, email legacy@mothersunion.org or visit the website at www.mothersunion.org/legacy

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Inheritance Tax:

first OTS report welcomed by legacy sector [“TOO MANY PEOPLE have to fill in Inheritance

Tax forms, and the process is complex and old fashioned.”

That was the start point to the first report of the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS), on its review of the tax. The OTS is undertaking a two-part review of IHT in response to the request from the Chancellor of the Exchequer in January 2018. The first report dealt with issues connected with the administration of the tax, rather than its principals.

More than 3,500 people shared their views about inheritance tax with the OTS – far more than in any previous review. Many of those who responded told the OTS that, at what is such a difficult time, they felt they were being asked to fill in complicated forms even where the relative who had died had only left a small amount.

The OTS said: “Although inheritance tax is payable on less than 5% of the estates of the 570,000 people who die in the UK each year, around half of the families have to fill in the forms. Many also told us that their relative had worried about inheritance tax during their lifetime, even though it was not going to affect them.”

The first report highlights the benefits of: • Reducing or removing the requirement to submit forms for smaller • or simpler estates, especially where there is no tax to pay • Simplifying the administration and guidance • The advantages of banks and other financial institutions having • standardised requirements • Automating the whole system by bringing it on-line OTS chair Angela Knight CBE said: “Inheritance tax is both unpopular and complicated. The basic design of the tax itself is for government, but at the OTS we can address that most frequent of all comments: ‘at least make it easier for the families to fill in the forms’.

The OTS has worked on ways to address these practical complexities, which have come through loud and clear.

“The recommendations in this report will make it easier for the majority, and would mean that in future many may not have to do the forms at all. Improving the administration of this tax in these ways is important, as having to deal with the current process can seem overwhelming to people at a time when they are both preoccupied and distressed.”

During the review the OTS consulted with a wide range of individuals and businesses affected by inheritance tax issues. They received a record response to a call for evidence from individuals, advisers and the general public. There were nearly 3,000 responses to an online survey, a further 500 emails from individuals and over 100 written responses from experts.

Legacy giving umbrella body Remember A Charity welcomed the report, even though charitable gifts in wills are currently exempt from inheritance tax and those that donate over 10% of their estate to charity benefit from a discounted rate of 36% across the remaining value of their estate.

Its director, Rob Cope, commented: “The current fiscal incentives have proved to be a powerful driver encouraging people to consider the option of donating when writing their will. If current giving levels continue, over the next five years over 10,000 estates will likely benefit from this reduced rate of tax, generating millions in legacy income.

“Ultimately, a more straightforward inheritance tax system should make it easier for people’s estates to be handled promptly, efficiently and for relevant discounts or exemptions on charitable wills to be applied. We welcome steps to reduce the administrative burden for everyone; the public, professional advisers and executors, which of course includes many charities too.

“The current lack of regulation in the will-writing marketplace has seen growing disparity in the way that wills are written and an increase in disputes over charitable estates. With this in mind, the need for clear and consistent processes has never been greater. The public needs to have a choice about who and what they support from their will and the confidence to ensure that their final wishes will indeed be met.

“With both the national inheritance tax structure and will-writing framework currently under review, the devil will be in the detail of future announcements as to whether the fiscal incentives will be maintained and how will-writing processes may evolve. We continue to appeal to government representatives to ensure that any changes will continue to encourage and promote charitable legacies.” q

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Helping the forgotten people of Zimbabwe [ZANE: ZIMBABWE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY is a UK registered

charity working to help the most destitute, vulnerable and impoverished people in Zimbabwe. It is the largest supplier of financial aid to elderly people in Zimbabwe who lost their life savings and pensions in the economic collapse and subsequent hyper-inflation.

This includes over 580 frail veterans and their widows who fought for the Crown but have been left destitute and surviving on one meal a day. ZANE assists with rent, medical bills and food – and, crucially, also provides comfort, advice and support.

In addition, ZANE funds a clubfoot correction programme, successfully treating over 4,000 children to date. It funds the provision of prosthetic limbs for victims of landmine explosions and assists people with hearing loss. ZANE also funds education programmes including the provision of pop-up classrooms in high-density townships for children who would otherwise not receive an education. It runs creative therapy workshops for women living in extreme poverty who are victims of political violence and trauma.

Despite the change in leadership, the situation in Zimbabwe remains desperate with hunger and untreated illness commonplace. ZANE’s aid is needed more than ever by the most destitute people in Zimbabwe. q • To find out more about the work of ZANE visit www.zane.uk.com

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Legacy campaigning week hits new heights – and gains a feline ambassador [ THIS YEAR’S Remember A Charity

Week proved to be another record-breaker, with more charities than ever before coming together to celebrate the impact and importance of gifts in wills, according to the umbrella group behind the campaign.

While much of Remember A Charity’s focus during the week itself is on raising awareness among the public and working with the legal sector, employers, government and other influencers to do the same, a key part of the campaign’s work is helping charities to promote their own unique legacy message to supporters.

Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, explained: “There are so many fantastic examples of charities really making Remember A Charity Week their own and engaging supporters creatively around leaving a gift in their will.”

The ‘hook’ of this year’s campaign was a ‘Human Search Engine’ – a series of videos posted by charities responding to the questions most important to their supporters and beneficiaries.

Rob Cope commented: “We loved seeing how charities made the most of the Human Search Engine and adapted the campaign messaging to convey the importance of the work they do and the needs of their beneficiaries.”

Remember A Charity’s blog revealed how four charities used the week to promote their particular message. They were Birmingham Hippodrome, Shelter, Royal Museums Greenwich and Livability.

Birmingham Hippodrome was taking part in Remember A Charity Week for the first time this year. The charity went all-out on social media, giving #10ReasonsWhy legacies make such a difference.

Shelter took their message out onto the street, briefing its faceto-face teams and charity shop staff and volunteers to talk about legacies and hand out relevant information.

Royal Museums Greenwich used the strength of its imagery, shared stories and pictures of artwork that have been gifted to the museum over time.

Livability took the opportunity to introduce a new toolkit on legacies for staff and volunteers, helping build confidence in talking about gifts in wills with supporters.

There was also a personal message from Gladstone, the Treasury cat (above) with over 30,000 followers (@TreasuryMog), who took the opportunity to remind us all of his origins and love for Battersea. q

Education through the power of play

[ACTION FOR SICK CHILDREN is currently focusing on its two main

projects – Dental Playbox and Magical Power of Play Appeal.

The Dental Playbox project is a preventative programme to educate the under fives, through the powerful medium of play, in the importance of good oral hygiene, sensible eating and drinking – along with visiting the dentist on a regular basis. In 2017, the scheme reached almost 7,000 children!

The Magical Power of Play Appeal supports the invaluable work of health play specialists by providing play resources for hospitals across the UK. These resources help to improve the hospital journey for sick children through distraction and recovery. In 2018, Action for Sick Children hopes to provide a Magical Power of Play Appeal box to ten children’s wards across the UK. q

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Resurrected probate proposals raise the same fears [

ONE OF THE MOST controversial measures affecting the administration of estates – and, by implication, gifts in wills to charities – was introduced by the government on 5 November.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Lucy Frazer QC MP (right), who was appointed in Prime Minister May’s shake-up in January, announced that the government was revising its previous proposals for reforming probate fees and would be pushing ahead with removing the existing flat rate of £215.

The measure had been proposed a year ago and was dropped following universal opposition from the voluntary sector.

Instead, probate fee bands would be brought in, she said, with estates of more than £50,000 paying between £250 and £6,000, with the maximum amount reserved for estates worth more than £2m.

In her speech the minister said: “I have today laid before Parliament new legislation to implement a new, banded structure of fees for a grant of representation, commonly known as a grant of probate. Fees are an essential element of funding an effective, modern courts and tribunals service, thereby ensuring and protecting access to justice.”

Alarm at the renewed proposals was immediately raised by the legacy sector.

Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, declared: “The new probate structure will see charitable wills costing, in some cases, thousands of pounds more than they do currently, and our concern is that this could deter people from leaving a donation in their will. After all, if estate planning comes with such a hefty price tag for wealthy individuals – many of whom leave sizable gifts to charity – they may think again.

“We will be urging government to offer a reduction in probate fees for estates that include a charitable gift, helping to mitigate the impact of the fee increase and taking us a step closer to achieving our shared ambition of making the UK the first country in the world where gifts in wills is a social norm.”

Lucy Frazer justified the proposals by indicating the increased fees would be used to fund the current modernisation of the justice system.

“The government is investing £1bn to modernise and upgrade the courts system so that it works even better for everyone,

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including victims, witnesses, litigants, judges and legal professionals,” she said. “But such a courts system is simply not possible without proper funding.”

That admission attracted the attention of the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, which reiterated fears that the proposals are a ‘stealth tax’ after concerns were raised that changes to the fees system could cost charities £10m a year in legacy income.

The committee said: “The Government first proposed a scale of fees rising to £20,000 for estates worth more than £2m in 2017. At the time, the committee argued that to charge a fee so far above the actual cost of the service amounted to a ‘stealth tax’ and therefore a misuse of the fee-levying power. Those original regulations were not subsequently put forward for debate in the Lords.

“Although, in this new version, the scale of the individual fees has been reduced, the committee has not changed its view on the underlying principle: that is that the fee bears no relationship to the actual cost of approving the probate application and has the appearance of a tax.”

The reasons for the committee’s concerns lay with the disproportionate level of fee compared with the cost of providing the service.

“This committee’s concern about the revised fee structure remains the same as it was for the draft instrument laid in 2017: while Section 180 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 permits the levying of enhanced fees, we are surprised to see it used to this extent. To charge a fee so far above the actual cost of the service arguably amounts to a ‘stealth tax’ and, therefore, a misuse of the feelevying power.”

Anticipating the reaction, Lucy Frazer said: “Since the previous government set out its intentions to introduce a banded fee structure for grants of probate in February 2017, a number of concerns were raised.

We have listened to these very carefully, and under today’s proposal we have revised fees so they will never be more than 0.5% of the value of the estate.

“It has long been the case that the users of our courts make a contribution to its costs, and we believe this remains both relevant and reasonable – minimising the burden on other taxpayers. Crucially, by asking those who use the courts to pay more, where they can afford to do so, we are able to fund areas where we charge no fees to vulnerable victims and users, including for example domestic violence and non-molestation orders, and for cases before the First-tier Tribunal concerning mental health.

“This new banded fee model represents a fair and more progressive way to pay for probate services compared to the current flat fee, and reflects our commitment to protecting access to justice by ensuring we have a properly funded and resourced courts system. We are also confident these fees will never be unaffordable. The cost of the fee is recoverable from the estate and executors have several options to fund it. Moreover, the Lord Chancellor retains a power to remit a fee if he considers there are exceptional circumstances.”

Rob Cope remained unimpressed: “While government expects to generate £185m from the increased charges by 2022-2023, it is important to remember that charitable bequests are worth almost £3bn a year for good causes. The sector cannot afford to risk losing legacy income and we call on government to consider the potential disproportionate impact of this decision.” q

Help give future generations the power to prevent cancer [A STAGGERING one in two of us will develop cancer

during our lives, yet we know that around 40% of cancer cases are preventable. That’s 144,000 cases in the UK alone every year that could be prevented through our lifestyle choices.

For over 25 years World Cancer Research Fund has been a pioneer in vital worldwide scientific research into the links between our lifestyles and cancer prevention. Demonstrating that eating a healthy diet, being active each day and maintaining a healthy weight are, after not smoking, the most important ways you can reduce the risk of cancer for you and your family.

World Cancer Research Fund founder Marilyn Gentry is passionate about preventing cancer. She said: “Almost all of us are affected one way or another, yet we are not powerless. Our work couldn’t be more urgent, especially when we know that around 40% of cancers could be prevented. We hope that by spreading this good news, along with our cancer prevention recommendations, many thousands of lives will be saved.

“But there is so much more we need to do and leaving a gift in your will to World Cancer Research Fund could be your special way of rewriting the future and making a memorable contribution to cancer prevention and survival in the years to come.” q • To learn more about how you can give future generations the power to prevent cancer visit www.wcrf-uk.org/legacy

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Funding helps enhance quality of life

[FUNDING AN ever-changing variety of projects which enhance

and enrich the lives of vulnerable people with learning disabilities is the function of Camphill Foundation UK and Ireland.

The foundation provides the financial support that can enable new initiatives to start-up, help to create or improve facilities, or provide vital opportunities for creative and fulfilling work. It often provides that extra bit of help needed to enhance quality of life.

Independence and freedom of choice are fine ideals, but they can only become a reality with the right level of support, both financial and personal.

True quality of life means combining individual choice and fulfilment with social belonging and responsibility. The projects supported by Camphill Foundation improve and enrich that quality of life for people with learning disabilities by providing new work or social and cultural opportunities which enhance the development and wellbeing of both the individual and the community.

For further information on leaving a legacy, enabling that work to continue, visit www.camphillfoundation.net q

This sanctuary rescues donkeys from across Europe and beyond [ESTABLISHED IN 1990, NEDDI offers care and safety to donkeys –

and to a lesser degree, ponies – in Britain and Europe who have suffered neglect, cruelty or maltreatment or who are at risk of such treatment.

In addition to rescuing such animals from undesirable situations, within the financial and practical constraints prevailing at the time, they work to try to change attitudes and to educate donkey owners into better practices. For example, since 2016 they have been assisting associates in Kenya to achieve those aims for the working animals there.

Since its establishment in Cornwall, NEDDI has operated a sanctuary specifically for distressed donkeys. In 2001 the sanctuary moved to just the other side of the channel, where the resident donkeys enjoy more space and pasture than would otherwise have been possible.

Its policy is to try to offer actual, hands-on help to the animals in need, and to restore them to the maximum possible degree of fitness.

Once brought back to full health, new homes are sometimes sought for the fit animals.

Where full health cannot be achieved a safe home is offered to the donkey for the duration of its life.

NEDDI is a comparatively small organisation with limited resources, and relies heavily on support from animal-lovers. A bequest will enable more donkeys to be freed from pain and misery. q

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New chair welcomed by fundraising sector [LABOUR PEER Toby Harris – Lord

Harris of Haringey – has been appointed as the new chair of the Fundraising Regulator.

His role will start on 1 January, when current chair Lord Grade’s term comes to an end.

Lord Harris said: “I am excited to have been appointed chair of the Fundraising Regulator. I very much admire the vital work the team at the regulator have tirelessly been carrying out over the past few years and am looking forward to supporting the board and its staff in ensuring that fundraising is carried out transparently and ethically.”

Welcoming Lord Harris to the role, Margaret Moore, the vice-chair of the board of Fundraising Regulator, said: “Following an open and competitive recruitment process, I am delighted to welcome Lord Harris as our new chair. His rich and varied experience in the public sector, and as chair of a wide range of organisations, convinced the appointment panel of his eminent suitability for the role.”

The board led an exhaustive, competitive and public process to find a new chair. Two independent panel members assisted in the final stage of the recruitment process, offering first-hand experience of the charity sector and its regulation.

Lord Harris was made a life peer in 1998 and has a wealth of experience and a proven record in public service. He has worked across national, regional and local organisations with responsibility for policing and security, consumer affairs, local government services and healthcare for over three decades.

His experience includes leading the independent review of London’s preparedness to respond to a major terrorist incident, chair of National Trading Standards, the Independent Reference Group at the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police Authority. He was also leader of the Labour Group in the London Assembly.

In Parliament, Lord Harris has served as the chairman to the Committee on the Olympic and Paralympic Legacy and he is

currently a member of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.

Responding to the appointment, Amanda Bringans, chair of the Institute of Fundraising, said: “I would like to thank Lord Grade for his work as chair of the Fundraising Regulator. He came into the role at a difficult time for the sector and has done a good job in getting the organisation established and putting in place a strong foundation and leadership team that has made real progress.

“While there may have been times where

fundraisers won’t have quite agreed with Lord Grade’s choice of words, I believe he has put the Fundraising Regulator on the right path for the long-term benefit of charity fundraising.

“I would also like to welcome Lord Harris to the role as chair. It is an exciting time for fundraising and I look forward to meeting and working with him to ensure the continuation of a strong and constructive working relationship between the professional body for fundraisers and the Fundraising Regulator.” q

Regulator to name charities under investigation [IN OCTOBER, the board of the Fundraising Regulator agreed that it will name all

organisations it investigates, whether the complaint is upheld or not. Organisations will be named in all investigations into complaints received on or after 1 March next year.

Since its launch in 2016 the Fundraising Regulator has published a selection of investigation decisions on its website, so that other fundraising organisations can learn from them. At the moment, the organisations involved aren’t named in those summaries.

The regulator won’t be applying its naming policy retrospectively; so it will only name organisations on its website summaries if it received the complaint on or after 1 March.

Moreover, when it publishes its decisions, it will also recognise the organisations that have co-operated fully with its investigation and any actions they have taken to learn from the complaint, whether it is upheld or not.

Announcing the change in approach, the Fundraising Regulator said: “We think it’s right that we name all the organisations we investigate, so that we promote and support a culture of ethical fundraising, allow the public, donors and potential donors to make informed decisions when they choose to donate to charity and ensure our policy on naming is clear and easily understood.”

Emphasising what will not change, the regulator said: “We’ll continue to share our findings with the organisations we investigate before we publish them. So they’ll still be able to check the facts are right and they’ll still have an opportunity to comment before we publish. We will not be publishing the names of people who make complaints.” q

Caring for chelonia [THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP publishes six newsletters

a year containing details of meetings, short articles, news items and veterinary notes. Their journal Testudo is published annually and contains original articles and reviews on all aspects of turtles, terrapins and tortoises – their biology, conservation, welfare, veterinary care and husbandry. The group also organises symposia.

As well as the yearly appeals in aid of specific international causes in chelonia research and survival, the BCG assists other worthy causes in support of its aims with grants. They invite grant applications from organisations and individuals engaged on the work of chelonia conservation – such as zoos, universities, zoologists and students in this country and overseas. q

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Charity that helps kids with kidney problems [FOUNDED IN 2000, Kidney Kids Scotland supports children

with renal illness and their families and is the only Scottish charity specifically set up to do so.

The main aim of the charity is to enable children to receive treatment as close to home as possible, thus minimising disruption to the family unit. To do that Kidney Kids Scotland works closely with

consultants and other medical and welfare personnel, relying on their expertise to identify where help is most needed.

In addition, the trustees believe that no family should have to worry unduly over financial problems while also worrying about a sick child, and they do their utmost to support those families in any way they can.

The charity principally supports the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, which is the only centre in Scotland where children with endstage renal failure can be treated with haemodialysis or receive a transplant.

Kidney Kids Scotland understand that children and young people living with chronic kidney disease face a lot of challenges in living a happy, healthy childhood. Conventional treatment options such as 3-times-weekly haemodialysis in a hospital dialysis unit offer huge health gains but can be hard on children and young people who want to be at school or with their friends instead of in a hospital.

The Charity has been instrumental in setting up the first-ever home haemodialysis service in Scotland, funding a nurse to do this. As a portable, home-based therapy, it can be used more frequently and at times that suit the family as, unlike in hospital, home patients can choose when and where they wish to do their treatments. This service is now hugely successful. q

Chronic pain is a silent epidemic crippling the country [MOST PEOPLE do not think of pain until it affects them

personally, or those close to them – yet an astonishing 43% of the population experience chronic pain, according to figures from the Pain Relief Foundation.

A staggering 28 million adults in the UK are currently living with ongoing discomfort, including nearly one in three people of working age.

Around one in ten people suffer from such extreme levels of pain that it is either moderately or severely disabling. Their pain becomes so consuming they are able to think of almost nothing else. In an ageing population those figures are set to rise.

The terrible scourge of chronic pain remains one of the last unconquered frontiers of medicine. It is defined as pain that lasts for three months or longer. It can include conditions such as arthritis, cancer pain, neuralgia, shingles, diabetic neuropathy, painful strokes, pain following limb amputation (phantom limb), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), back pain and headaches.

It is the silent epidemic because it isn't as visible or as measurable as other conditions – despite the fact that it can have a devastating impact on quality of life.

Chronic pain is costly at an individual and societal level. It is only through the research and educational work carried out by the Foundation’s Pain Research Institute that progress can be made in improving knowledge of chronic pain and its relief – and in training the specialists who will carry that work out. But that depends entirely on the support of the public. q

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New document sets out Charity Commission’s five-year plan [THE CHARITY COMMISSION has published a

new Statement of Strategic Intent, setting out its core purpose and priorities for the five years to 2023.

That new purpose, says the regulator, is to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust, so that people can improve lives and strengthen society. It will inform everything the commission does.

The commission must do all it can to ensure charities meet the high expectations the public have of them. Those expectations include that a charity must be more than an organisation with worthy aims – it must be a living example of charitable purpose, charitable attitudes and charitable behaviour.

The Statement of Strategic Intent sets out and explains five new strategic objectives. They are: • Holding charities to account • Dealing with wrongdoing and harm • Informing public choice • Giving charities the understanding and tools they need to succeed • Keeping charity relevant for today’s world Each of the objectives, and how the work of the commission will be changing to meet them, is explained in the document. The strategy also makes it clear that charities and the commission share a collective responsibility for ensuring the concept of charity survives and thrives into the future, and charities reach their potential for good in our society.

In a speech introducing the document, Charity Commission chair Baroness Stowell said: “From now on the commission is a purposedriven regulator. We are clear not just on what we do, but about why we do it. Our purpose is deliberately positive: charity is a vital force for good in our society and we as regulator share a responsibility with charities to help maximise the positive impact charity has, to help charity reach its potential.

“Our great challenge is that charities are not always living up to

the public’s expectation that being a charity is about how we behave, not just what we set out to achieve. The public, quite reasonably, expect a charity to have charitable aims, and to be a living, breathing expression of charitable behaviour and attitude. By working on this together, charities and the commission will help ensure that charities thrive, so that people can improve lives and strengthen society.”

Responding to the publication of the Statement of Strategic Intent, Peter Lewis, chief executive of the Institute of Fundraising, said: “We welcome the commission’s declaration of strategic intent as they map out a clear vision for the future of the sector and the role of the Charity Commission. We are pleased that Baroness Stowell has voiced the clear purpose of the commission to ensure charity can thrive and to inspire trust in order to strengthen society.

“It is absolutely right that she says the commission has a role to ensure charities show they are being true to their own purposes and demonstrate the difference they are making.

“Fundraising plays a key role in building public trust. It’s the main way that people hear about the work of charities and the difference a donation will make. This is especially important as we know that 80% of people only donate when asked, and we also know that 63% of people after donating go on to take an additional positive action for that cause.”

The Charity Commission is now working on a more detailed road map that will translate the Statement of Strategic Intent into a plan for action. q

Most large charities are unclear on reserves, commission finds [FEWER THAN a quarter of larger charities accurately reported

the level of financial reserves they hold in their trustees’ annual report, according to a review by the Charity Commission. The commission says its findings suggest an incomplete understanding of what reserves are – which could lead trustees to make poor decisions about their charity’s finances.

All registered charities must explain their policy on reserves in their trustees’ annual report, and should state the level of reserves held as well as why they are held.

Almost all of a sample of 106 charities with an income over £500,000 included at least a reference to their reserves policy in their annual report; however, fewer than a quarter gave the right reserves figure, based on the information in their accounts. A third of charities failed to include a figure at all.

Sarah Atkinson, director of policy, planning and communications at the Charity Commission, said: “The public, who generously donate to charity, rightly hold charities to high standards and expect them to manage funds in a way that maximises their benefit to society. As regulator, we therefore expect charities to steward their

resources effectively – to protect their charity’s future and safeguard the money donated to them by the public or through public funds.

Reporting financial information accurately is an essential part of this responsibility, so it’s concerning that so few larger charities appear to fully understand what reserves are, or how to disclose them correctly. We would also expect auditors and independent examiners to report any concerns they have about the reserves held by charities, especially in light of the collapse of Kids Company.”

The Charity Commission produces guidance that helps trustees manage their reserves properly. It is available to download at www.gov.uk/government/publications/charities-and-reserves-cc19.

The commission will also be sending a copy of the report to all charities in the sample where there were concerns over the absence or accuracy of the reserves figure in their annual reports.

Sarah Atkinson explained: “Our guidance for trustees equips them with the tools they need to improve reporting in this area.

All charities should ensure they are up to speed with this, so they can reach their potential by planning effectively for their financial future.” q

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Keeping parents together with their children is the aim of this charity

[KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE safe from crime and exploitation:

that is the Herculean task set for itself by Partog – Parenting Together – a charity set up by former youth worker Gerry Hannah.

Said Gerry: “At Partog we are changing attitudes and inspiring young people towards happy, safe and healthy lifestyles. We are one of the UK’s leading innovators of advanced community projects, engaging vulnerable young people in safe and sociable activities with positive role models, youth and community workers.”

As he points out, criminals do not emerge overnight like butterflies.

The process of criminalising and ruining a young life passes through many hands. Partog’s parenting network links parents with youth and skilled community workers.

Partog are Ministry of Justice preferred suppliers and represent the best interests of young people in both Family and Youth Courts.

They believe there is no such thing as unavoidable abuse and exploitation.

They accept referrals from community police, teachers and the NHS, when young people display antisocial, disruptive behaviour – whether in their home, the classroom or community. They generally work with the parents to improve how they interact and resolve relationship issues and advocate on behalf of young people involved with the youth justice system.

Gerry continued: “We engage the most reclusive, inaccessible young people, unable to socialise or engage in activities. We work with families living in areas of high crime and at high risk of exploitation. Many years working in the residential care of young people with emotional and behavioural problems, added to our award-winning research, allows us to specialise in helping young people disadvantaged by their social and family circumstances.”

The founding of Parenting Together followed a career working with

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young people. Gerry explained: “For 15 years I challenged anyone and everyone who showed less than absolute kindness to the emotionally damaged and abused children in my care.”

It was, he said: “The most rewarding job in the world without a doubt, but gradually their sadness overwhelmed me. I cried on almost every journey home from work and could not bear to read another child’s traumatic care history, wondering if I could ever make that child laugh again or convince them to trust another human being.

“Caring for young people with behaviour and emotional problems, I witnessed the emotional devastation, the life-long anxiety and many disturbing psychological consequences caused by false rhetoric presented to Family Courts as factual.

“Young people, losing the love and protection of their family for trivial irrelevant reasons, suffer appalling risks. Parenting Together is my given vow to defend the rights and emotional health of children deprived of the love and protection of both parents.”

Partog offers parents and solicitors expert witness statements and risk assessments on young people’s emotional and behavioural problems.

“No research ever showed that children are better off without parents,” declared Gerry. “I promise child-centred risk assessments and expert witness reports, morally and ethically guided towards the best possible outcomes for the youngest, most vulnerable members of your client’s family.”

In 2014 Parenting Together submitted evidence to the Commons Joint Select Committee on Human Rights for its inquiry into violence against women and girls. Later that year then-Home Secretary Theresa May requested further details of the group’s research.

The following year the NSPCC business chair described the work of Parenting Together as “…more than a good cause; it works.” q

Antidote to shopping frenzy raises record amount [THE Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)

– which oversees #GivingTuesday in the UK – has just released data that reveals 26% of British people who have heard of #GivingTuesday are likely to do something for charity in the future as a result of the movement. That’s equivalent to nearly 1.5 million people. #GivingTuesday took place on the 27th November. Once again it was a huge success both in the UK and internationally, being the top trending item on Twitter throughout the day. The #GivingTuesday hashtag reached over 41 million people in the UK alone.

One typical post was from the Brain and Spine Foundation, who tweeted: “Today we're delighted to be taking part in Giving Tuesday.

The annual event, in conjunction with the Charities Aid Foundation, sees people all over world getting creative to raise funds and awareness for their favourite charities.”

There was big name celebrity endorsement for a host of charities from such household names as Victoria Beckham, Stephen Fry, Cara Delevingne, Richard Branson, Jack Whitehall, Gillian Anderson, Sir Patrick Stewart and even Miss Piggy!

Miss Piggy tweeted: “And a massive thank you to everyone who did something on Giving Tuesday to support a charity. Thank you for donating, campaigning, raising awareness, and volunteering for your chosen cause. You make Giving Tuesday what it is and for that we are eternally grateful.”

Elsewhere the Tiny Tickers Charity, which was aiming to raise £725 to fund one pulse oximetry machine, ended up raising £3,085. This ensured that they can now invest in four new machines that will allow 6,000 new-borns to be tested every year for heart defects.

Early indications from fundraising platform Virgin Money Giving suggested

that fewer people gave compared with #GivingTuesday last year, but crucially those that did donate gave more on average than last year, which is in line with trends seen in CAF’s UK Giving report. The Big Give website also launched its annual Christmas Challenge for #GivingTuesday and raised £4.5m for charities this year, compared to £4.3m last year.

Ben Russell, director of communications at the Charities Aid Foundation, declared: “This year’s #GivingTuesday has built on its strong tradition of promoting the world of difference that charities make to people’s lives.

“As important as raising money is, #GivingTuesday is about so much more than that. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness, say ‘thank you’ and encourage people to give their time, talk to others about causes and do something for neighbours and friends. I’d like to express our gratitude to everyone who joined in the spirit of giving.”q

Help for those with failing sight

[FAILING EYESIGHT is nothing short of a personal catastrophe.

Do you have a family member, friend or neighbour who is gradually losing their sight?

Reading, recognising friends and living skills are all affected as your sight is going – and it’s much harder if you live alone.

The National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK) keeps its members in touch with general information, help and updates on what’s going on.

The charity produces bi-monthly news magazines and circulars in audio, braille or electronically, which members can read independently. It also encourages blind and partially sighted people to play a fuller part in society. q • For further information contact NFBUK on 01924 291313, email admin@nfbuk.org or vist www.nfbuk.org.

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Budget measures given lukewarm welcome [ THE BUDGET in October contained a number of

measures – not widely reported in the mainstream press – affecting charities. They included measures relieving the administrative burden on charities with regard to Gift Aid. Responding to the Budget, the head of policy and external affairs at the Institute of Fundraising, Daniel Fluskey, said: “The Budget overall seemed a ‘business as usual’ approach, with not much that will be eye-catching for the charity sector.

While we of course recognise the political complexities as the uncertainty over Brexit continues, following an aspirational civil society strategy published by government this summer, we were hoping for a more ambitious programme announced today to invest in fundraising skills to help small charities go the distance and get charity tax working better to reduce costs for charities and encourage giving.

“Despite the stated move away from austerity measures, the reality is that communities are still seeing services cut and charities will have to continue to step in to fill the gap, and need the right skills and support to do so. However, we’re glad to see the threshold for the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme rise from £20 to £30, as well as relieving some of the administration on the Gift Aid Retail Scheme.”

The chairman of the Charities Tax Group (CTG), John Hemming, commented: “We are pleased that, after several rounds of consultation, HMRC has accepted CTG’s recommendation that the existing three thresholds for the Gift Aid donor benefit ‘relevant value test’ should be reduced to two thresholds, with a 5% rate on parts of donations in excess of £100 – noting the total value of the benefit that a donor can receive remains at £2,500.

“This will help to avoid the problems of the cliff-edge effect that many charities currently face – and which can lead to them not claiming Gift Aid at all. We now look forward to co-ordinating the sector’s efforts to revise the guidance on the donor benefit rules.”

There were also measures announced on VAT. The CTG reported: “The government has published a response to the call for evidence on the design of the VAT threshold. The responses to the call for evidence did not provide a clear option for reform. The VAT threshold will therefore be maintained at the current level of £85,000 for a further two years until April 2022. The government will look again at the possibility of introducing a smoothing mechanism once the terms of EU exit are clear.

“CTG welcomes this news as, had there been a decrease in the VAT threshold, additional smaller charities would have been subject to Making Tax Digital reporting requirements, which are already proving complex for larger charities.” q

Holidays help boost confidence of young cancer patients

“

It’s a great experience to meet other people who have been through similar experiences in such a positive and upbeat setting, away from hospitals and cancer centres.

”

[THIS QUOTE FROM Kate sums up the value of the work undertaken by the Youth Cancer Trust. The organisation provides free therapeutic activity holidays for teenagers and young adults – those aged between 14 and 30 – from the UK and Ireland who are suffering from cancer.

Cancer can tear a patient’s world apart, and at an age where everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives – with university, relationships and careers – the diagnosis of cancer can bring all of that to a halt.

The Youth Cancer Trust helps reduce the sense of loneliness, which often accompanies long stays in hospital and time off school. Long term friendships are formed and families are given a much deserved break, knowing their child is having fun and being looked after.

The charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations, such as those from legacies, to help support the needs of young cancer patients like Kate. q • For more information visit www.youthcancertrust.org.

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Code of Practice brings charities up to speed on digital [ THE UK’S first Charity Digital Code

of Practice was launched in November, following an extensive consultation and input from across the sector. The code has been produced to provide charities with practical advice on incorporating digital technology into their work.

It was funded by Lloyds Banking Group and the Co-op Foundation and was produced by a steering group of representatives from across the sector, chaired by independent digital expert Zoe Amar.

The need for a Charity Digital Code of Practice was identified following the Lloyds Bank UK Business Digital Index 2017, which showed only 48% of charities have full basic digital skills and 50% of charity leaders lack confidence in introducing digital change.

According to the Directory of Social Change: “Digital is fundamentally changing the way we all live and work. Across the world, more than 4 billion people now use the internet, with 3.2 billion on social media.

“Charities, like every other sector, need to tap into the potential offered by this. Digital skills will help charities increase their impact, efficiency and sustainability – and bring new ways to connect with and support their beneficiaries.”

The code has identified seven principles to be considered by charities wishing to develop their digital activity. The principles cover best

practice relating to leadership, beneficiaries and other stakeholders, culture, strategy, skills, adaptability and managing risks and ethics. It also sets out how to measure success when making changes to digital.

The seven principles are: • Leadership – charity leaders must lead on • digital as a way of helping their charities • be relevant and sustainable • User led – charities should make the • needs and behaviours of beneficiaries • and other stakeholders the starting point • for everything they do digitally • Culture – charities' values, behaviours • and ways of working should create the • right environment for digital success • Strategy – charities’ strategies should be • ambitious about how they can use digital • to achieve their vision and mission • Skills – charities should aim for digital • skills to be represented at all levels of the • organisation • Managing risk and ethics – charities need • to determine and manage any risks • involved in digital • Adaptability – charities will need to adapt • to survive and thrive as digital changes • how everyone lives and works As well as increasing digital motivation, confidence and skills within the charity sector workforce, advice from the code will make charities more accessible for

beneficiaries and create new opportunities for funders to engage with digital activity.

A version of the code has been produced for small charities alongside tailored resources to help charities with tighter budgets and less capacity to understand where they can make improvements. That aspect of the code has been a particular priority for the steering group, following the revelation from the 2018 Charity Digital Skills report that 58% of charities see funding as their biggest obstacle to digital progress.

“We often hear from small organisations worried about a lack of budget or skills to carry out digital activity,” said Zoe Amar.

“The new code will aim to increase the digital confidence of all charities and give practical advice about where they can make improvements in digital engagement with their beneficiaries and funders, as well as increase collaboration with other charities.”

CharityComms, the membership body for charity communications professionals, identified five key things that everyone should know about the code. They are that: charities have more in common than they think; the sector needs more talented digital people to be trustees; CEOs need to own and drive digital; data is vital; and it’s your code and we want you to run with it. q

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If you Will, we will [LEGACIES MEAN SO much to the team at Last Chance

Animal Rescue. These wonderful gifts have helped them to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home so many abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits and guinea pigs who otherwise would have had no future.

The charity understand the wishes of its kind benefactors who have considered them in their Wills. A spokesperson said: “We know they want their generous gift to us to be used directly to save lives, provide the very best of care and to find loving homes.

“Legacies really do provide the gift of life and Last Chance Animal Rescue can now, after much planning and prudent use of funds, offer our life saving services to so many more needy pets. We are delighted to announce we now have a second rescue and re-homing centre in Kent, giving hope and a true A new friend for Alan last chance to so many.

“Sadly we cannot thank those who have enabled this wonderful achievement but are extremely grateful to all those who are currently considering helping us now and in the future to continue our work.” q

Giving sighthounds a second chance [FOREVER HOUNDS TRUST has been rescuing, caring for and

homing greyhounds, lurchers and other sighthounds for more than 20 years. These wonderful dogs desperately need help, having been neglected, abandoned, abused or, in the case of racing greyhounds, retired from the tracks.

The charity has homed over 9,000 of these marvellous dogs and relies entirely on supporters, general donations, charitable trusts and – vitally – legacies to cover the substantial costs of saving these beautiful hounds.

The charity’s Susan Kerry Bedell says: “By leaving a gift to Forever Hounds Trust in your will, you will enable us to provide shelter and care to these special dogs in future years.

“Legacies allow us to ensure shelter for dogs in kennels and foster homes while they await their forever homes. They help us to provide emergency medical care, preventative treatments, keep our vans on the road to rescue dogs in desperate situations and provide expert behavioural support.”

By remembering Forever Hounds Trust in their will, legators can help give more dogs a second chance at a happy life. q • For more information visit the website at www.foreverhoundstrust.org, telephone 03000 125 125 or email legacy@foreverhoundstrust.org

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Charities warned to avoid selling used stamps to fraudsters [THE CHARITY COMMISSION has issued

an alert to charities regarding the incidence of stamp fraud. Stamp fraud involves the preparation, distribution and sale of previously used stamps for reuse. Usually, the stamps are sold online at a lower price than the standard postal service rate.

Anyone knowingly collecting, preparing, distributing, reusing or selling used stamps to avoid paying full postal fees may be committing a form of fraud. A number of charities collect used stamps as a means of fundraising and may be targeted by fraudsters.

According to the Charity Commission: “Although we do not believe that charities are knowingly profiting from the collection and sale of used stamps, some are inadvertently enabling this form of fraud by selling packages of used stamps, commonly referred to as ‘kiloware’.

“The majority of these stamps are then prepared and fraudulently re-sold as if they were valid postage. The money being made by criminal gangs from this type of fraud is significant, and can be used to fund further and wider scale criminal activity.”

The commission believes that fundraisers may believe they are selling stamps to collectors – but that is rarely the case as those stamps have little collectable value.

It says: “Charities should avoid engaging in this activity unless they are certain that the stamps collected and sold are genuinely being bought by collectors, and are not being used for fraudulent purposes.”

The commission lists a number of warning signs to look out for: • Requests to bulk buy – charities should be wary of requests from individuals to purchase UK or GB ‘kiloware’ in bulk. Genuine collectors tend to have their own sources of used stamps and often trade with each other – it is unlikely that they would specifically call on charities to provide loose stamps.

• Requests for certain types of stamps – there is no reason for any genuine dealer to request previously used, uncancelled (often incorrectly referred to as unfranked) stamps, ‘non- value indicator’ stamps (those that do not display a price) or Christmas stamps in bulk.

• Offering to deal stamps on your behalf – some stamp collectors may genuinely request foreign or specialist stamps, but charities should consider a company or person offering to deal stamps on their behalf as a potential red flag.

All of those examples put an organisation at risk of being unwittingly involved in a form of fraud that is potentially funding wider scale criminal activity.

To protect themselves from stamp fraud, charities should decline requests from individuals or groups who wish to purchase used GB stamps directly, either through direct contact or via an online marketplace.

Additionally, they should let Royal Mail know if they suspect that a request may not be from a genuine dealer.

If they are satisfied that their stamps are destined for collectors, they should check the type of stamps they are collecting. Foreign stamps are less likely to be fraudulently sold in the UK. They should also consider checking that their charity’s name is not

being used in ‘kiloware’ advertising without their permission.

It goes without saying that, when buying stamps for their charity’s own use, they should buy them from the Post Office or any other reputable seller. Stamps are typically not sold at a discounted price.

To report suspected stamp fraud, and for more information on the subject, visit the Royal Mail website at www.royalmail.com/reportstamp-fraud. Charities affected by fraud should also report it to the Charity Commission as a serious incident, using the dedicated email address rsi@charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk. q

Campaign targets charity fraud [OCTOBER SAW the third Charity Fraud Awareness Week, promoted by the

Fraud Advisory Panel. The week focuses the attention of charities on the campaign against fraud. It is spearheaded by an international partnership of charities, regulators, professional bodies and other organisations in the not-for-profit sphere, working together to combat fraud.

According to the Fraud Advisory Panel: “Charity Fraud Awareness Week promotes openness and honesty about fraud. It brings together everyone involved in the charity and not-for-profit sectors to raise awareness and share good practice in tackling fraud and financial crime.” This year saw an emphasis on cybercrime, with other focuses on grant fraud and donation fraud.

The campaign is supported by specialist accountants and business advisors PKF Francis Clark, which acts for more than 250 charities across the South and South West.

Its head of not-for-profit, Duncan Leslie, commented: “Fraud is a serious threat to every organisation, charities included. In fact, it is estimated to cost UK charities more than £2bn a year. With reported fraud increasing at an alarming rate it is vital for charities of all shapes and sizes to protect their income and assets by building strong defences.

“The impact of fraud on charities should not be underestimated; it can jeopardise the essential services they provide, cause reputational damage, impact fundraising and reduce morale amongst staff and volunteers.” q

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The dream continues to offer sanctuary to abandoned animals [THE YEAR IS 1983 and it is the coldest winter for 20 years. Many

stories about horses and ponies being abandoned by their owners on Rainham Marshes in Essex were hitting the headlines.

Paula Clark, who was involved in raising money for a number of sanctuaries, was sitting at home in tears after reading the story of those poor horses. When her husband Ernie returned home from work, Paula showed him what was happening and they vowed to take action and help the animals that needed them.

Some of the horses were already dead and others were starving when the couple got to the marshes. They weren’t having their basic needs met; they had no water or food. Paula and Ernie took tanks of water to them and bales of hay and feed. They even got a vet to examine some of them. No-one was looking after the horses’ basic needs – let alone enriching their lives.

Paula and Ernie embarked on fulfilling their dream and the story of Hopefield Animal Sanctuary began. They began taking horses with the intention of fostering. They would bring them back to health and then find them nice homes.

The first horse they fostered out was Pye. Soon after they heard that the fosterers were trying to sell him, so Ernie took them to court at a cost of £4,000. Ernie finally got Pye back in a terrible state, so both Paula and Ernie promised they would never rehome again – the animals had a home for life.

As Paula and Ernie found fostering animals didn’t work out they decided to provide homes for life to their animals. One beneficiary is Juliette, a thoroughbred horse who arrived in a terrible condition.

Because of her home for life at Hopefield, and the daily care and attention she receives, she is now physically transformed.

Paula and Ernie have both now sadly passed away. Since their passing the work has been taken over by new trustees and a dedicated team of staff and volunteers look after the resident animals, old and new. Many animals arrive in a terrible condition and are completely transformed by living at the sanctuary.

The sanctuary has now been running for 35 years – it has over 50 regular volunteers, a huge amount of local and loyal support and over 20,000 followers on Facebook.

CEO Dave Schlaich explained: “We have continued to rescue horses and farm animals, but have found that over the years the type of animals we are having to help has greatly changed, with people getting more and more into exotic species through the pet trade.”

The sanctuary is now open the public from Friday to Monday each week. It has become a visitor attraction with a small tea room. All activities generate funds that go directly to the animals, making the future more secure.

Said David: “You can support us by becoming a regular donor, visit us, sponsor an animal or leave us a legacy in your will, knowing that your donation goes towards providing a home for life for one of our animals.” q

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Governance code attracts cross-sector support [THE INDEPENDENT CHAIR of the

cross-sector steering group behind the Charity Governance Code for England and Wales says she is delighted that it is winning support within such a short space of time.

A range of charities, from household names to small, community-based groups, have signed up as early adopters since the new code was launched in July.

Rosie Chapman said: “I am delighted at how well the code has been received within the sector. The feedback has been extremely positive, with charities saying that its clarity and accessibility is really helping boards frame their governance.”

An updated replacement for the previous Code of Good Governance and endorsed by the Charity Commission, the Charity Governance Code outlines the high standards that all charities should aspire to and is designed to help charities and their trustees develop high standards of governance.

The cross-sector steering group that devised it comprised the Association of Chairs, the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, ICSA – The Governance Institute, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the Small Charities Coalition and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.

All of those organisations signed up to the code as soon as it was launched and have been joined by a range of local, regional and national organisations. They include large charities such as the NSPCC, as well as smaller adopters such as the University of Manchester Students Union, Hackney Council for Voluntary Service, Reach, and Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service. Others, such as the Cranfield Trust, are reviewing the new code with a view to signing up shortly.

Rosie Chapman continued: “We think that a charity board that aspires to meet the Charity Governance Code is a sign that the organisation takes its custodian responsibility seriously. More practically the code is a great way for charities to think about their governance arrangements in a structured way and to see how they measure up against good practice.

“We applaud those organisations that are early adopters and we look forward to many more following suit.”

Key recommendations in the new code include: • More oversight when dealing with subsidiary companies, • registers of interests and third parties such as fundraising • agencies or commercial ventures • An expectation that the board will review its own performance and • that of individual trustees – including the chair – every year, with an • external evaluation for larger organisations every three years • No trustee should serve more than nine years without good • reason • Boards think carefully about diversity, how they recruit a range • of•skills and experience, and how they make trusteeship a more • attractive proposition • Boards should operate with the presumption of openness • Stronger emphasis on the role of the chair and vice chair in • supporting and achieving good governance The code has its own website at www.charitygovernancecode.org. q

Supporting the maritime community [SEAFARERS UK has been helping people in the maritime

community for 100 years, providing vital support to seafarers in need and their families, as well as to those in education or training who are preparing to work or serve at sea.

They do this this by giving grants to organisations and projects that make a real difference to people’s lives, across the Merchant Navy, Fishing Fleets, Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

Last year they gave grants totalling £3.5 million to over 60 maritime welfare charities. Seafarers UK receives no government funding and is heavily dependent on public donations and legacies to maintain its grant-making. q • To support Seafarers UK or to find out more about their work, visit the website at www.seafarers.uk or email seafarers@seafarers.uk

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Charity carries on the work of its founder [FOR OVER 30 YEARS the famous animal hospital known as

Tiggywinkles has been working to rescue, treat and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned British wildlife. Over that time they have proved beyond doubt that most wild animal and bird casualties can be saved and returned to the wild.

Although they specialise in hedgehogs – indeed, they derive their name from St Tiggywinkles, the name of their specialist hedgehog ward, inspired by the animal character created by Beatrix Potter – their wealth of expertise in the care of a wide range of species can now be passed on to others.

In addition, their commitment to practical education plays a vital part in the conservation of wildlife. As an accredited centre, opportunities are available for students aged 16 and over to gain a City and Guildsapproved qualification via their Apprenticeship in Animal Care scheme.

Tiggywinkles was founded by Les Stocker, who sadly passed away in July 2016. In a tribute, Les was described as ‘…a steadfast ambassador, achieving his goal to turn wildlife rehabilitation into a profession’. In another he was referred to as the ‘the spiritual heart of Britain’. He was awarded an MBE by The Queen and given the title Laureate in the 1990 International Rolex Awards for Enterprise, for his work in wildlife conservation and establishing Europe’s first wildlife teaching hospital. More recently, he gained the prestigious Honorary Associateship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The charity is happy to commemorate all who generously remember the Wildlife Hospital Trust in their will by inscribing their name on a plaque in its Remembrance Garden. Gifts are also welcome in the form of a donation or by becoming a Friend of Tiggywinkles. q

Legacies – the gift of life [ANIMAL CHARITY Wild Futures rescues

and offers sanctuary to monkeys who have suffered abuse and neglect. They are dedicated to protecting primates and their habitats worldwide – they are endangered due to climate change, habitat destruction and the bush-meat and pet trades.

For some species, it is too late. The future of all that remains lies in our hands, so leaving a legacy to Wild Futures is the gift of life and a future for primates and our wonderful planet.

Wild Futures’ holistic approach makes them unique – providing sanctuary to rescued

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monkeys, supporting projects overseas, campaigning for primate welfare, educating to protect primates worldwide and promoting a sustainability and ethical ethos.

They receive no government funding, so the generosity of those that remember Wild Futures is essential to enable them to continue their work. A legacy can be the gift of a life worth living and a wild and safe future for all. q • For more information call 01503 262532, email giving@wildfutures.org or visit the webiste at www.wildfutures.org.

Fundraising champion sees a bright future for the sector [DESPITE THE MANY challenges and pressures facing the

voluntary sector – with negative stories regarding fundraising practice and the behaviour of certain individuals – there is still a bright future for fundraising. That is the message from Daniel Fluskey, head of policy and external affairs at the Institute of Fundraising.

In a distillation of his presentation to a number of IoF events around the country, Daniel Fluskey explained why he is optimistic for the sector.

Because we’re starting from a good place – even if we don’t always realise it!

Fluskey compared fundraising to climbing a huge mountain: “We’re looking down, concentrating on getting one foot ahead of the other and avoiding tripping up; and it’s not until we pause, take a breather and look around that we realise how far we’ve come – and then we go back to trying to climb even higher. None of this is a fluke – it’s because of the work fundraisers do every day.”

Because together we are changing fundraising Fluskey referenced the launch of the Change Collective – a movement set up to kickstart meaningful change in equality, diversity and inclusion in the fundraising profession. He believes it will have a long-term positive impact.

“Fundraising can get better and needs to have a more diverse workforce to do so. We need to up our game in the profession – it’s a long road ahead, but the launch of this initiative and the commitment from the IoF and across our members and allies can make this change happen.”

Because of who fundraisers are He recommends a book by Beth Breeze, The New Fundraisers.

“The findings show that fundraisers score more highly on every personality trait and are more emotionally intelligent than the general population. They are typically more social in their behaviour (who knew that so many fundraisers have been in a choir or give blood?) and as a whole they undertake extra study, collaborate and learn.”

Because fundraising gives meaning to people “I don’t think most donors want to be a hero,” says Fluskey, “but they do care about things and want to see a difference in the world, which can nearly always only be brought about through collective action.

“At a time when traditional social

engagement is changing – whether that’s political parties, trade unions, high street shops or the decline of the prominence of broadcast channels – charities and fundraising offer something different, something tangible.”

Because great fundraising is happening now!

“From the Egyptian book of the dead, through to the first formal charities – and on to the first charity marathons, the first TV adverts, the first public fundraising campaigns and social media – fundraising finds new ways to reach people and to inspire gifts.”

Fluskey cites numerous examples of charities adapting to new technologies to get their message across – and ends with a message of optimism for the sector. q

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A legacy can help those with sight loss [WRITING A WILL is essential if you want to

be certain your wishes are met. After you have looked after your family, home and funeral you may want to leave a legacy. Choosing which good cause to donate to is a very personal decision and often made with family members and friends in mind.

If you are looking for a charity to support which provides services to people with a visual impairment, the Partially Sighted Society (PSS) can guarantee that all donations help to fund their free services and not administration and marketing costs.

The Partially Sighted Society was established in the early 1970s and has moved with the times as support, technology and opportunities for people with a visual impairment have evolved and improved over the past decades.

In addition to donations and legacies, they supply many paid-for services that allow them to fulfil their charitable commitments to provide free enhanced low vision assessments and free information and support (face-to-face or via telephone) for anyone with any kind of visual impairment.

They are also a registered NHS Eye Test Centre and anyone can book an appointment with their part-time optometrist in the knowledge that they will not be subject to a hard sell on glasses, as they do not dispense.

Other services at their Doncaster sight centre include: • Fully-equipped drop-in resource centre with a wide variety of low • vision aids.

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• In-house design and printing service which • produces a variety of stationery products for • people with a visual impairment.

• Supplier of heavily-lined stationery for • schools, academies and other educational • establishments.

• Visual impairment awareness training • courses for carers and other professionals.

• New ecommerce website and mail-order • service.

The PSS developed and promoted the internationally-recognised symbol of visual disability, commonly known as the Shaded Eye. The symbol has been incorporated into a variety of products to help identify the wearer as being sight impaired.

There are many ways to donate, but all donations, however large or small, are gratefully accepted and used to provide the free enhanced low-vision assessments, advocacy, advice and support to visually impaired people of all ages and abilities.

If you have lost a loved one whom the Partially Sighted Society has supported in any way and you want them to be your chosen charity to donate to, having a collection at your loved one’s funeral in lieu of flowers is often a meaningful way to donate to a cause that was close to their heart. q • For further information call Anita or Michaela on 01302 965195 or visit the website at www.partsight.org.uk

Learn how direct New minister welcomed by CAF marketing is still [

THE APPOINTMENT of Mims Davies as the new Minister for Sport and Civil Society has been welcomed by the Charities Aid Foundation.

Its chief executive, Sir John Low, commented: “We are looking forward to working with Mims Davies MP as she takes on this important remit. Her breadth of parliamentary experience means she is well-placed to implement and build on the ambitious changes outlined in the Civil Society Strategy. Given her passion for charity fundraising, we believe she will be a great addition to the team at DCMS. “It is, however, disappointing that the Prime Minister did not take this opportunity to reinstate a stand-alone Minister for Civil Society.

Given the challenges faced by the sector and the huge impact it has on people’s lives, it would undoubtedly benefit from a dedicated minister who can push forward the wide-ranging and ambitious plans set out earlier this year.”

Commenting on the record of previous minister Tracey Crouch, he said: “We would like to thank Tracey Crouch for all the work she has done for the sector during her time in the role, and in particular her support for CAF’s Giving Tuesday campaign, which raises world record-breaking amounts of donations for charities in one day.” q

charities’ lifeblood [

A MASTERCLASS ON The Essential Wisdoms of Direct Marketing Fundraising will take place on 17 Jan at the offices of the Institute of Fundraising in Westminster. The course will be led by Stephen Pidgeon, one of the world’s leading consultants and public speakers on direct response marketing and fundraising for non-profit organisations.

Direct marketing still generates the vast majority of a charity’s consumer income, and with the opportunities given by new media, even small charities with little resources can still raise money. The course will look in some depth at the growing importance of multichannel marketing – both off-line and on-line – to improve the supporter experience.

Its target audience comprises fundraisers in charities looking to start a consumer fundraising programme, those who are new to direct marketing fundraising and joining an established team, and fundraisers with small budgets which mean they have to do everything themselves.

Those who attend will be helped to understand why people give, what influences them and how to please them so they continue to give. They will also learn how to recruit new supporters through three key media – mail, face-to-face and web – and to understand the key fundraising products to get them started.

They will be aware of the production challenges of direct marketing and know roughly what costs what and how you get it, as well as the pivotal role of data and data analysis. q

Support for those affected by ovarian cancer [OVACOME HAS BEEN supporting those affected by ovarian

cancer since 1996. Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of gynaecological cancer death in the UK, with 4,271 women losing their lives each year.

There are around 7,400 new cases diagnosed per year and unfortunately most of these are detected at a late stage. As a result of this, survival rates are very low. Screening tests do not yet exist.

Ovacome provides information and support to around 18,000 people per year and raises awareness of the disease across the UK, reaching over 6 million people.

The charity provides personalised information, emotional support and resources for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer or worried they might be at risk, as well as for their friends and families. They provide a free telephone support line, 24 hour online forum, email support and face-to-face support groups.

Symptoms can easily be mistaken for other less serious conditions.

However, Ovacome has established a Survivors Teaching Students programme, which works with volunteer ovarian cancer survivors to train clinical students on the signs, symptoms and experiences of women with ovarian cancer. The programme has been rolled out across 16 medical and nursing universities, with this number set to increase in 2019.

They also fund research into treating the disease; this work is guided by the ethos of 'translational' research, which means the research developed has a good chance of a real and tangible positive effect for women with ovarian cancer. q • If you have any questions about ovarian cancer please call 0800 008 7054, email support@ovacome.org.uk or visit www.ovacome.org.uk

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Applications invited for Who can predict Tampon Tax grants the post-Brexit [THOUSANDS OF WOMEN and girls across the country are

set to benefit from the next round of the Tampon Tax Fund, worth £15m. The fund allocates grants generated from the VAT on sanitary products to projects to improve the lives of disadvantaged women and girls.

The fund is open to charitable, benevolent and philanthropic organisations from across the UK, who can now bid for at least £1 million in funding for projects that support victims of domestic violence or work to reduce rough sleeping and homelessness among women. The money will also be available to programmes that help vulnerable women through music therapy, encourage them to participate in sport to improve their physical and mental wellbeing or charities that make onward grants to smaller organisations, so they can deliver tailored services to support women.

Mims Davies, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said: “It is vital that disadvantaged women and girls and those who face violence or homelessness are given the help they need to rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. This fund is already having a resoundingly positive impact across our country and I am delighted that thousands more women and girls will be helped as a result of this round of funding.”

All grants from this round will be offered to charities for two-year projects. Applications close on 20 January 2019.

Over 70 charities have received grants from the Tampon Tax Fund, with £47m allocated since the Autumn Statement 2015 which initiated the programme. The additional £15m for 2019 brings the total to £62m. q

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future?

[THE NEXT ISSUE of The Charity Pages will be published

against the backdrop of the UK’s exit from the EU. What that will mean for the charitable sector and for the future of legacy giving no-one knows for sure. There have been estimates made of the impact of a ‘disorderly’ Brexit (a kind of dog’s Brexit) in the range of £1bn over the next five years. At the time this column is being written the vote on the May deal is yet to be held, so nothing is certain. We will be bringing the latest developments in the process pretty much as they happen.

The other main thread running through developments in the charitable sphere is sure to remain the digital future.

The spring will see the publication of the second report of the Office of Tax Simplification’s review of Inheritance Tax, although we’ll probably have to wait a little longer for the Chancellor’s response – if he’s still there (see above: dog’s Brexit). No doubt the legacy sector will make up for it with comment of their own. We shall see.

The spring will also see preparations in full sway for July’s annual Fundraising Convention – described as the largest event for professional fundraisers in Europe. We’ll be looking forward to some of the most notable elements of the programme. q

The range of charities which depend on legacies to carry out their valuable work is a broad one. Those that are represented in this publication are listed below, grouped according to the area of activity in which they operate.

ANIMAL WELFARE

INDEX

MEDICAL RESEARCH

Pet Rescue Welfare Association 2

Prostate Cancer Research Centre 2

Friends of the Animals 4/5

World Cancer Research Fund 13

Swan Lifeline 6

Pain Relief Foundation 16

Seeing Dogs 6

Ovacome 29

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary 8 Heartbeat Home for Horses 9 The New European Distressed Donkey Initiative Ltd 14 British Chelonia Group 15 Last Chance Animal Rescue 22

HEALTH & DISABILITY Camphill Foundation UK and Ireland 14

Forever Hounds Trust 22

National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom 19

Hopfield Animal Sanctuary 24

dDeaflinks Staffordshire 27

Tiggywinkles 26

The Partially Sighted Society 28

Wild Futures 26

Ovacome 29

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

SUPPORT & ADVICE

Action for Sick Children 11

Mothers’ Union 8

Kidney Kids Scotland 16

Victim Support 10

Parenting Together 18

Seafarers UK 25

Youth Cancer Trust 20

OVERSEAS AID ZANE: Zimbabwe A National Emergency 10

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