11/11/11

By Andrew Holt

Three connected companies that operated a charity collection scam have been closed down in the public interest by the High Court in London, following an investigation by Company Investigations of the Insolvency Service.

The companies are Air Ambulance Support Community Interest Company, St Anthony (formerly Air Ambulance Service Trading) and St Anthony Repatriation (formerly Air Ambulance Service).

Both St Anthony companies had a common director, Anthony Joseph Durkin.

Tomas Mickauskas, a former director of Air Ambulance, worked as a leaflet distributor for the two St Anthony companies.

The investigation found the three companies, primarily targeted residents in the South and Midlands, via ‘Charity bag’ drop offs and collections and made misleading representations that the proceeds raised from the onward sale of unwanted clothing would be donated to local air ambulance charities.

The reality was this did not happen.

Commenting on the case, Investigation Supervisor, David Hill, said: “In winding-up these companies, the court is sending a clear message that schemes which set out to deliberately mislead the public in this manner are not acceptable and will be closed when we become aware of them”.

The investigation also found the companies operated in a similar manner, attempting to pass themselves off as authorised collection agents by making charity bag drops in residential areas, with attached leaflets bearing similarities to the logos of official air ambulance charities, in particular that of Midlands Air Ambulance.

"At no time throughout their trading histories were they ever authorised by any air ambulance service to act as charity fund raisers."

Due to the failure of all three companies to maintain adequate accounting records, it is not known what became of any proceeds generated through the sale of clothing items collected by the companies.

No evidence of donations made to any Air Ambulance Charity was found.

The activities of the companies were also found to be not only misleading but in breach of regulations contained in the House to House Collections Act 1939 concerning door to door leaflet dropping where charitable purposes are included.

Essentially the Act requires companies conducting collections for charitable purposes to obtain a licence. None of the companies had done so.

Several local authorities had received complaints concerning the activities of the companies including Oxfordshire County Council, Poole Borough Council, Wolverhampton City Council and Leicestershire County Council.

Public concern was also expressed in widespread attention given in local publications, including articles in the Worcester News, Gloucestershire News and Burton Mail.

Home     More News


Other stories you may find of interest:

Regulator finds against Children’s Air Ambulance
The Charity Commission has published a report on its investigation into the Children’s Air Ambulance, finding the charity does not own, lease or provide an air ambulance service, and the trustees had not taken steps to manage the conflicts of nearly all of the charity’s income to its founder. The charity was registered with the Commission in late 2005 with the object of providing a specialised air ambulance service for children and babies in the UK.

Civil society features strongly in the New Year's Honours List
The New Year’s Honours List recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK and how they have contributed to the sector and wider civil society. The vast majority of people recognised include those supporting the Big Society by making a real difference to their local community through volunteering, fundraising, social action and philanthropy. There is an OBE for Christopher Preddie, who has devoted his life to youth work and reducing crime.