Capt Tom charity issues donations statement as daughter 'uses name to build spa'

04 July 2023 , 13:25
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The charity has today said they are not taking any more funding (Image: The Royal British Legion)
The charity has today said they are not taking any more funding (Image: The Royal British Legion)

The charity linked to Captain Tom Moore has broken their silence amid claims the hero's daughter used his name to build a spa and pool at their home.

Hannah Ingram-Moore and husband Colin, said they wanted to build a building dedicated to the veteran to use as office space at their seven-bed home in Bedfordshire.

In the planning application, they referenced the charity Captain Tom Foundation in the design and access statement, despite putting it forward in their own names.

It comes as the charity has issued its own statement to say they were not aware of any planning permissions made in the foundation's name and has said they are not taking any more funding.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "At this moment in time, the sole focus of The Captain Tom Foundation is to ensure that it cooperates fully with the ongoing Statutory Inquiry by the Charity Commission.

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Capt Tom charity issues donations statement as daughter 'uses name to build spa'Hannah Ingram-Moore and husband Colin, said they wanted to building a building dedicated to the veteran to use as office space at their seven-bed home in Bedfordshire (PA)
Capt Tom charity issues donations statement as daughter 'uses name to build spa'Captain Tom shot to fame after walking 100 laps of his garden at the age of 99 to raise money for the NHS (PA)

"As a result, The Captain Tom Foundation is not presently actively seeking any funding from donors.

"Accordingly, we have also taken the decision to close all payment channels whilst the Statutory Inquiry remains open.

"Once the findings of the Statutory Inquiry have been communicated, The Captain Tom Foundation will be in a better position to make a decision in relation to its future, but for now, our main priority is to assist the Charity Commission with its enquiry.

"In the meantime, on behalf of the trustees of The Captain Tom Foundation, we wish to extend a warm thank you to all our supporters who have enabled us to help charities that were close to Captain Sir Tom’s heart."

Captain Tom shot to fame after walking 100 laps of his garden at the age of 99 to raise money for the NHS.

He set out with a goal to raise £1,000 by his 100th birthday - but ended up topping more than £30million.

The World War Two veteran, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, passed away at the age of 100 following a short battle with Covid and pneumonia.

The Captain Tom Foundation was set up by his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband Colin.

In August 2021, the couple said they "urgently" needed space for presentations and memorabilia.

They received permission for an annex but a retrospective application for the spa was refused last year.

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The Charity Commission opened a probe into the foundation, identifying concerns about management and independence from Sir Tom’s family.

The commission said it was concerned about a “failure to consider intellectual property and trademark issues” when the charity was set up.

The money raised by Captain Sir Tom was donated to a separate charity before the Foundation was formed and is not part of the investigation.

In July 2021, the regulator refused permission for the Foundation to employ Ingram-Moore as chief executive on a salary of £100,000 a year, saying it was not justifiable.

However, the following month it allowed her to be appointed for a wage of £85,000 for a maximum of nine months while they looked for a new CEO, who has since been recruited.

Helen Stephenson, chief executive of the Charity Commission, previously said: "Captain Sir Tom Moore inspired the nation. It is vital public trust in charity is protected."

An earlier statement from the Ingram-Moores said: "Club Nook Ltd made its application for trademark prior to the formation of the foundation. Neither Hannah nor Colin were trustee directors upon its formation."

Money raised for the NHS, which was donated to NHS Charities Together, is not part of the scope of the inquiry.

The Mirror approached the charity for comment.

Hannah Kane

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