Captain Tom Foundation no longer seeking donations amid investigation

The Captain Tom Foundation has closed all its payment channels and is not accepting further funding and donations while it is being investigated by the Charity Commission.

The decision has been made a year after the regulator’s statutory inquiry launched and amid media reports alleging the late fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore’s family members had built a spa and pool complex at their home using the charity’s name.

“At this moment in time, the sole focus of The Captain Tom Foundation is to ensure that it cooperates fully with the on-going statutory inquiry by the Charity Commission,” said the charity.

“As a result, The Captain Tom Foundation is not presently actively seeking any funding from donors. Accordingly, we have also taken the decision to close all payment channels whilst the Statutory Inquiry remains open.

“Once the findings of the statutory inquiry have been communicated, The Captain Tom Foundation will be in a better position to make a decision in relation to its future, but for now, our main priority is to assist the Charity Commission with its enquiry.”

The charity was launched in June 2020 after Captain Moore attracted widespread publicity for raising money for NHS Charities during a sponsored walk during Covid lockdown. His fundraiser raised more than £38m for NHS Charities Together, a record for the most money raised for an individual charity walk.

Captain Tom died at the age of 100 in February 2021 and a month later the regulator began investigating the Foundation set up in his name amid concerns around its arrangements with a company linked to his family. This was then escalated to a statutory inquiry in June last year.

“The late Captain Sir Tom Moore inspired the nation with his courage, tenacity and concern for others,” said Charity Commission chief executive Helen Stephenson at the time.

“It is vital that public trust in charity is protected, and that people continue to feel confident in supporting good causes.”

“We do not take any decision to open an inquiry lightly, but in this case our concerns have mounted. We consider it in the public interest to examine them through a formal investigation, which gives us access to the full range of our protective and enforcement powers.”