Watchdog investigating Captain Sir Tom Moore charity after concerns raised about its accounts

A watchdog has announced it is investigating The Captain Tom Foundation after concerns were raised regarding its accounts.

The Charity Commission, which is run by the government, has been working with the organisation since March last year after issues surrounding its governance arose.

Now, following the publication of the charity’s accounts on Friday, the commission has confirmed a case has been opened looking at its regulatory compliance.

A spokesperson for the watchdog said: “We have been in ongoing contact with the trustees of the Captain Tom Foundation on its set-up and governance arrangements and as part of this work will now assess the charity’s recently submitted accounts.”

It added that although a case has been launched into the charity, this does not mean any wrongdoing has been found.

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In its first year, running from 5 May 2020 to 31 May 2021, the foundation, which was set up to continue the national fundraising hero’s legacy, accumulated almost £1.1m in donations.

However, its audited accounts show just £160,000 was given away in charitable grants while £240,000 was spent on management and fundraising costs.

Of the costs, £126,424 was spent on “fundraising consultancy fees” and £20,884 was used in “advertising and marketing expenditure”.

Organisations that received the grants included the Royal British Legion, Mind, Willen Hospice, and Helen and Douglas House.

During the 12-month period, a combined total of more than £54,000 was also paid to two companies controlled by Sir Captain Tom Moore’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband Colin, called Club Nook Limited and Maytrix Group Limited.

The documents state the payments were for “accommodation, security and transport” while the veteran travelled.

They also included “website costs (£5,030), photography costs (£550), office rental (£4,500), telephone costs (£656) and third-party consultancy costs (£27,205)”.

By the end of May 2021, the charity had £695,889 in unrestricted funds and trustees said that maintaining reserves of around £500,000 would be “sufficient to ensure its ongoing commitments can be met”.

“The foundation’s work is entirely reliant on donations. During this period our total income amounted to £1,096,526,” part of the document reads.

“As a newly established charity, expenditure has been incurred in building the team, which for some months worked on a voluntary basis until funds were forthcoming.

“During this period, we also incurred costs in appointing The Philanthropy Company who provided expert support on governance and fundraising initiatives as well as working with our charity partners to identify initiatives that the foundation could support and which would drive value and public benefit.”

Sir Captain Tom’s legacy

The Captain Tom Foundation was founded in June 2020 in a bid to continue the efforts of the Bedfordshire army veteran.

He walked 100 laps of his garden during the COVID-19 pandemic to raise money for NHS Charities Together and as a result, was knighted by the Queen for his efforts.

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The 100-year-old managed to raise more than £39m and sadly died with coronavirus in February last year.

The foundation aims to support the older generation and promote social inclusion.

At the end of last year, a swathe of ancient woodland and open ground was renamed in honour of Captain Sir Tom.

The Captain Tom Foundation has been contacted for comment.

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