Scandal-hit charity sector sees faith return

Published on 23/03/2005 11:53

SCOTLAND’S faith in charities has been restored after the sector suffered a series of scandals.

Donations to charities in Scotland fell by up to 33 per cent after two high-profile organisations were exposed for handing over only a fraction of their profits.

However, Ms Ryder said the enormous amounts of cash donated to appeals such as the tsunami disaster and Comic Relief proved that the public was confident about giving to charitable organisations once again.

Children’s charity Moonbeams was wound up in 2003 after it was discovered just 70,000 of the 3 million it raised went to help cancer victims and their families.

And another group, Breast Cancer Research (Scotland), had its assets frozen after an investigation found only 1.5m of 13m raised had been donated to charity.

Ms Ryder said: "Confidence and donations took a dip after Moonbeams, but it did act as a catalyst for change.

"Confidence has been restored, as we can see from the response to appeals such as the tsunami disaster. There has been a huge amount of goodwill. Charities are absolutely essential."

Former postman Willie Power founded city-based Moonbeams 11 years ago after his daughter, Gayle, died of cancer aged 11.