Charity Scandal: Hospice Aid UK Fails Public Trust Again
The Charity Commission has slammed Hospice Aid UK for serious misconduct and mismanagement in its second official inquiry. This follows a previous statutory investigation and an Official Warning back in 2021.
Millions Raised, Pennies for Hospices
Founded in 2002 to support the sick, dying, and their families, Hospice Aid UK claimed to be a lifeline for hospices. But between March 2013 and July 2020, more than £3.2 million raised barely made it to care services. Over £3 million was swallowed up in fundraising fees — leaving less than 6% actually helping hospices.
Trustees Ignored Warnings, Blew Charity Cash
- Trustees ignored earlier actions to spend more on hospices.
- They renewed costly contracts with a fundraising agency despite poor past results.
- They failed to do any due diligence before recommitting to the agency.
- The charity’s accounts lacked transparency, hiding troubling fundraising terms.
- Financial management was shoddy, including missing accurate accounts and staff policies.
Official Warning Issued—More Trouble Looms
After uncovering these failings, the Commission handed down an Official Warning in 2021. Trustees must now improve oversight, submit proper reports, and halt unsuitable commercial deals.
Amy Spiller, Head of Investigations at the Charity Commission, said:
“The public expects that donations reach the intended cause. Here, barely any funds reached hospices due to trustees’ mismanagement. This behaviour risks undermining confidence in all charities, putting good causes at stake.”
“Hospice Aid UK’s trustees have let down donors before. We will watch their every move and take tough action if they slip up again.”
