Trustees warn allegations could ruin Savile charity’s good work

TRUSTEES of the charity founded by Sir Jimmy Savile have warned the sexual abuse allegations surrounding the late TV legend could jeopardise the good work done by the ­organisation.

The Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust was established in 
1985 by the entertainer, who raised an estimated £40 million for good causes across his lifetime.

More than £120,000 collected by the trust has been spent on charitable activities since January last year.

A scheme for undergraduate medical students run by the University of Leeds has received £57,000 across that period. Leading UK research charity Action Medical Research was the other major beneficiary.

In a statement, the charity’s trustees said that they were “personally outraged” and had no reason to believe the allegations.

“We are saddened by any ­proposed television documentary which alleges that the late Sir Jimmy Savile committed acts of underage sexual abuse,” the statement said.

The trustees added: “The publication of such grave allegations may affect the charitable trust, which supports so many good causes.”

The trustees added: “He raised more than £40m for good causes, giving away 90 per cent of his income.