Military charity Support the Heroes banned for poppy cash ‘rip-off’ after paying a third of everything raised to external firm
Investigators filmed collectors telling public that every penny is donated to projects helping ex-soldiers but charity pays a third of everything it raises to Targeted Management Ltd
A MILITARY charity has been banned from fundraising over fears it is pocketing millions intended for veterans.
Support the Heroes was set up in 2014 to help soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder.
BBC investigators filmed collectors telling the public that every penny is donated to projects helping ex-soldiers.
Yet the charity pays a third of everything it raises to Targeted Management Ltd.
The firm is run by Tony Chadwick, from Blackpool, who is linked to a network of veterans’ charities that have raised millions but spent only a fraction on soldiers. He is also being investigated over conflict of interest because Support the Heroes is run by two of his ex-business partners.
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Another company run by Mr Chadwick, called Prize Promotions Ltd, was set up by mums of troops killed in Afghanistan.
It has raised £3.1million but passed on only £250,000 to projects supporting veterans.
The Charity Commission is trying to claw back £2.9million from Prize Promotions. Lucy Aldridge, whose son William, 18, was the youngest UK soldier to die in the Afghan war, said: “Any Tom, Dick or Harry can set up a military charity. This has allowed some very unsavoury individuals to exploit the public’s generosity.”
Mr Chadwick denies any wrongdoing. He said: “All the fundraising followed standard practices within the industry.”