Erith Charity Shop Scandal: Two Decades of Alleged Fraud Exposed
An Erith charity shop is in hot water after allegations surfaced that it has been collecting money under the name of children’s charity Second Chance without permission for nearly 20 years.
Shadowy Shop Scandal Uncovered
Second Chance opened a shop at 188 Bexley Road in 2005. But their agreement ended in 2006 — and according to the charity, they haven’t seen a penny from the store since. Despite this, the shop allegedly kept trading under Second Chance’s branding for almost two decades. The shocking discovery came to light thanks to a sharp-eyed accountant.
The Charity Commission confirmed it has received a “serious incident report” from Second Chance over the suspicious charity shop activities.
“Second Chance Children’s Charity filed a serious incident report relating to concerns of a charity shop trading under its name without its knowledge,” confirmed the Charity Commission.
How The Scam Was Spotted
Doug Hulme, CEO of Second Chance, revealed the saga began in April 2023 when an accountant contacted him, puzzled why the shop’s accounts were filed as a “sole trader” and not a charity.
“We said we didn’t have any charity shops,” said Hulme. “They sent a photo showing the shop sporting our logo and Charity Commission number. We immediately asked them to stop trading under our name.”
Despite the charity’s warnings, the shop’s misleading signage remained. Second Chance finally alerted Bexley Council’s Trading Standards on July 19, 2024.
Authorities Crack Down
Bexley Council acted fast. Officers visited the premises the same day and spoke with a relative of the former business owner.
“The shop has been ordered to remove all ‘Second Chance’ signage and charity numbers. We are working with police and relevant bodies as the investigation continues,” said a council spokesperson.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are also probing the case, though no arrests have been made yet.
The Charity’s Fight to Protect Its Name
Second Chance, supported by celebrities like BBC Pointless host Alexander Armstrong, is dedicated to helping abused, impoverished, and learning-disabled children through activities like fishing trips and woodland retreats.
The charity fears the rogue shop’s actions could damage its reputation and its vital work.
Community Left Reeling
Locals and charity supporters voiced shock and disappointment over the misuse of the charity’s name. Many hope for a swift resolution and the restoration of trust in Second Chance.
The current shop manager declined to comment. Meanwhile, investigations by Trading Standards and the police continue.
