Last year, staff at an NHS charity group raised concerns about the inappropriate use of data by the foundation set up in the name of Captain Sir Tom Moore.
The Captain Tom Foundation (CTF) is said to have emailed people who donated to its legendary Covid campaign, which ultimately boosted its record total for NHS charities by nearly £39m, via a JustGiving page.
NHS Charities Together contacted a watchdog and an independent body over the concerns in April 2021.
The Ingram-Moores have denied any wrongdoing, as her daughter tearfully told ITV’s This Morning yesterday: ‘I think we’ve been incredibly naive but I don’t think that means we’re bad’
It is not known how many people were contacted by the foundation by email, but more than 250,000 provided their addresses via the fundraising page, The temperature reported.
Last year, NHS Charities Together staff contacted the Charity Commission and the Information Commissioner’s Office.
According to the latter’s site, “mail marketing” is not allowed unless he has consented to it or “is an existing customer who has purchased (or negotiated to purchase) a similar product or service from you in the past, and that you gave them an easy way to unsubscribe both when you first collected their details and in every message you sent”.
Ellie Orton OBE, chief executive of NHS Charities Together, said: ‘We are so grateful for Captain Sir Tom Moore’s incredible fundraiser.
‘As part of our urgent Covid-19 appeal, his inspiring efforts helped us fund hundreds of projects supporting NHS staff, patients and volunteers across the UK, before the Captain Tom Foundation was established distinct.
“Like all charities, we are required to follow strict guidelines around the use of supporter data, so when in April 2021 we were alerted to the potentially inappropriate use of data from a fundraising page of closed third-party funds, it was our responsibility to inform the regulators concerned so that they could take the necessary measures.
“We can reassure fans that this case did not involve any of the data we hold.”
“Captain Tom and his family have achieved incredible things for the NHS and the impact of that achievement continues to be felt by the network of 238 NHS charities across the UK.”
According to The temperatureThe ICO said the “matter was closed” and the charity had received “advice on data protection and direct marketing rules”, after which it was decided that “no further action was not necessary”.
The Charity Commission opened a “regulatory compliance case” against the foundation last March.
The Captain Tom Foundation (CTF) is said to have emailed people who donated to his legendary Covid campaign, which boosted his record total for NHS charities
The CTF, a charity that raises money for ‘selected charity partners’ who focus on helping the elderly, was incorporated on May 5, 2020 with principal founders Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband, Colin.
The Charity Commission last month received the FCT’s first directors’ report and financial statements, relating to the activities of the period between incorporation and May 31 last year.
Accounts showed that £162,000 was spent in the first year on management and administration; more than the amount donated to good causes.
The CTF was incorporated on May 5, 2020 with principal founders Hannah Ingram-Moore (pictured) and her husband, Colin
More than £50,000 of this non-charitable spending went to businesses run by the Ingram-Moores.
The creation and operation of the CFT has been investigated by the Charity Commission.
It was also reported last month that the ICO and the fundraising regulator had resolved or closed their investigations into the FCT.
The Ingram-Moores have denied any wrongdoing, as her daughter tearfully told ITV yesterday This morning: ‘I think we’ve been incredibly naive but I don’t think that means we’re bad.’
CTF said in a statement: ‘The £38.9 million (including Gift Aid) raised by Captain Tom between April 6 and 30 went directly to NHS Charities Together, who distributed the funds to support the NHS frontline workers and services across the UK where they need it most.
“We worked closely with the ICO during their investigation, who were grateful for the cooperation of the administrators and have closed their case.”
