South Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards service has revealed that it is currently investigating an alleged charity that has been active in South Ayrshire.

Householders that have received a leaflet and bag asking for unwanted goods under the heading ‘Charity Collection Used Clothing Appeal’ may have donated goods in good faith thinking they were donating to a Registered Charity as stated on the leaflet but investigations into the number used show that it does not relate to any charity registered in Great Britain.

South Ayrshire Trading Standards received a complaint from a resident in Meadowpark who suspected the Registered Charity Number printed on the bags was false. Enquiries to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) confirmed that the number used did not relate to any Charity registered in Scotland or England and Wales.  OSCR had also been investigating the organisation for allegedly promoting itself as a charity when it was not entered in the Scottish Charity Register.

Trading Standards Officers intercepted the van in the Old Racecourse area of Ayr and interviewed the two occupants, believed to be Polish Nationals. They confirmed the goods would be shipped to Poland. The van contained two hundred and fifteen bags of goods and these are being held meantime pending further enquiries into the people behind the alleged charity.

A spokesman for South Ayrshire Trading Standards said, “There is concern from the public over door to door collections of goods and clothing. In the past we have issued warnings to householders to check the leaflet as often these are from commercial companies that resell the goods. As long as this is clearly stated and no misleading impression offered that the business is a charity then this is legal. However, we have concerns if an organisation gives a registered charity number that does not exist or uses the word charity in their name without having the right to do so.”

The spokesman added, “We are treating this as a criminal investigation for the present so we are unable to disclose the name of the organisation concerned.”

Councillor Hugh Hunter, Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Community Safety Committee said, “The people of South Ayrshire are generous and that was shown by the number of bags this organisation had collected in one day. We want to encourage people to continue to donate to good causes. However, people want to be sure that they are giving to a charitable cause. Registered charities are regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator to ensure that their activities are above board. Alleged instances like this only serve to undermine legitimate charities and that is why we are determined to get to the bottom of this matter.”

Kirsty Gray, OSCR’s Head of Monitoring and Investigation, added, “We look forward to continuing to work with South Ayrshire Trading Standards in this matter.  Members of the public can check the Scottish Charity Register at www.oscr.org.uk to see whether an organisation is a registered charity.” 

OSCR advises the public to check any leaflets carefully to see whether it is from a charity or from a business. Scottish charity numbers begin with the prefix SC0 followed by five numbers. OSCR can be contacted on 01382 220 446 or visit www.oscr.org.uk. 

November 2006