Alert over bogus charity collections (From Worcester News)

Alert over bogus charity collections

1:30pm Thursday 28th October 2010 in Local By James Savage, @jamessavageWN #worcsnews

PEOPLE are being warned about bogus charity collectors who are once again claiming to represent the Midlands Air Ambulance charity.

The organisation uses the misleading name Air Ambulance Support and is handing out leaflets and visiting homes across the Worcestershire region requesting donations of clothing, shoes and handbags, which they claim will be recycled to raise funds for Midlands Air Ambulance.

The charity has now contacted Air Ambulance Support and instructed them to stop the collections and remove all related literature and online information with immediate effect.

Jason Levy, head of fund-raising and marketing, said this was the third time this year the bogus collectors had targeted homes in the region.

He said: “The sad thing is that they are duping decent people into handing over clothing and unwanted items, which they then sell on for their own profit.

“The simple fact of what they are doing undermines the whole basis of trust that governs our relationship with the public, who so generously support and fund us and rightly expect that their donations actually go towards saving lives.” If in doubt, members of the public can ask to see formal identification.

A legitimate Midlands Air Ambulance collector will be able to show ID bearing the charity’s correct logos and charity number.

Official charity fund-raiser identification can be viewed at the charity’s website at midlandsairambulance.com.

Direct contributions can also be made to the charity by calling 0800 8402040.