Midlands Air Ambulance reminder on doorstep collections (From Stourbridge News)
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Midlands Air Ambulance reminder on doorstep collections
8:30am Thursday 14th July 2011 in News
MIDLANDS Air Ambulance (MAA) is reminding people planning donations to be sure who is getting the benefit.
The charity’s warning follows the distribution of leaflets in the region from private companies called Air Ambulance Service (Trading Co) Ltd or Air Ambulance Support Ltd who are collecting items ranging from clothes to mobile phones.
The leaflets, which show a company registration number, carry pictures of helicopters and say donations will fund ground and air ambulance medical transportation.
In a statement, MAA said: “Midlands Air Ambulance wishes to make clear the charity has absolutely no association with either company. We have not authorised them to collect goods or raise funds and we receive no funding from them.
“Anyone wishing to donate clothing directly to Midlands Air Ambulance should do so only to an authorised Midlands Air Ambulance collector who will be able to show you our registered charity number and official logo. Alternatively you can contact us directly on 0800 8 40 20 40 or via www.midlandsairambulance.com and we can arrange to collect your donation.”
LeslieR says...
2:30am Tue 19 Jul 11
uk There are pages on these misleading "air ambulance" collections - eg: www.charitybags.org.
uk/air_ambulance_org
anisations_introduct
ion.shtml
If a clothing collection leaflet or bag gives the impression that it's in aid of a "good cause", it needs a licence from the local council (under the House to House Collections Act 1939). If it hasn't got a licence, it's a CRIMINAL offence and the council can intercept the collection (with police help) and prosecute the collectors. It needs a licence even if it doesn't mention a charity.
So, if you get a misleading leaflet/bag, contact your local council licensing department, trading standards (TSD) and police IMMEDIATELY. Refer them to the 1939 Act - and get them to intervene on the collection day.
Also, contact local newspapers, radio stations and your elected councillors and MP. There's more on this on the "CharityBags" website - including examples of prosecutions of bogus collectors.
Submit a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
... And if you want to give clothes to charity, take them to a charity shop.