Captain Tom’s family needs to pay up, and quickly

In a world where every penny counts, especially for those most in need, charities are finding it harder than ever to raise the vital funds they need. 

I see that firsthand – and it’s troubling, but not nearly as troubling as it is to see figures within the sector behaving in ways that will ultimately harm the entire ecosystem of goodwill. 

Hannah Ingram-Moore, daughter of the late Captain Tom Moore, a national hero who captured the hearts of millions during the pandemic, has been embroiled in controversy regarding how cash raised in her dad’s name has been handled. 

A report from the Charity Commission said that Ingram-Moore and her husband showed a ‘pattern of behaviour’ in which they benefited personally from the Captain Tom Foundation. 

Among the findings are ‘blurring of boundaries between private and charitable interests’ and that almost £1.5million in payments relating to three books by Sir Tom, was paid to the Ingram-Moores, none of which has been sent on to the foundation despite the family’s assurances otherwise. 

There’s been plenty of criticism, mostly deserved, directed at Hannah Ingram-Moore, but this is not just a personal failing – it’s a disaster for all charities trying to raise vitally needed funds in a climate already fraught with challenges.

The charitable sector has been feeling the strain for some time. With inflation running high and the cost of living biting once again, many families are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

Food Banks are reporting empty shelves as they head into the winter months. 

Charities are being asked to do more than ever before, even as the funds they rely on seem to be diminishing. 

And now, just when we need public trust in charitable organisations the most, the actions of individuals like Ingram-Moore, who has criticised the report calling it unfair, threaten to undermine that very trust.

Ingram-Moore’s conduct, which includes allegations of misleading the public and failing to deliver on promises made by her father’s fundraising efforts, casts a long shadow over the entire sector.

The damage here doesn’t just impact one businesswoman, it can impact all of society. 

Charities rely on the goodwill of the public who trust that their contributions will go to those who need them most. 

But every time a scandal like this unfolds, that trust is eroded. And it’s the poorest in our society that suffer. 

Donors begin to wonder whether their hard-earned money is being misused. 

Ingram-Moore’s actions have already contributed to a perception of dishonesty and mismanagement – with the charity commission concluding the public were likely to have been misled by her actions. 

That perception will make it harder for charities to raise the money they so desperately need in the coming months.

I know this all too well, having been involved in charity work for many years, particularly in supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Association. 

Charities face a constant battle to secure the funding required to support vital research and provide care for those who are suffering from this devastating disease. 

In an era of tightened pursestrings, we need to come up with new and innovative ways to raise funds – we’ve come a long way since Bob Geldof’s infamously sweary demand of ‘give us the money’.

But that’s not all. We’re also fighting an uphill battle against public scepticism. 

Every penny counts these days, and there’s a fear that it might not be used the way donors expect

I’ve encountered this myself. At a recent MDNA event, I was asked by multiple people whether the money would truly go to research, or whether it would just line the pockets of administrators and executives. 

And these questions aren’t coming from a place of malice – they come from a growing distrust of the system. 

Every penny counts these days, and there’s a real fear that it might not be used the way donors expect.

If we’re to have any hope of reversing this trend, we need to see transparency, accountability, and honesty from people like Hannah Ingram-Moore.

The Charity Commission has now urged her to ‘follow through on the commitment that was made and donate a substantial amount to the charity.’ 

But this isn’t just about money, this is about the reputation of the charitable sector as a whole. 

However, there is a way out of this. It’s a way that benefits everyone – Ingram-Moore, the Captain Tom Foundation, the wider charity sector, and most importantly, the people who rely on these organisations for support. 

It’s not too late for Hannah Ingram-Moore to make amends. 

She has the opportunity to show that she values the legacy of her father, Captain Tom, not just in words, but in deeds. 

By addressing the concerns around the Foundation’s finances and donating the book proceeds to the charity, she can begin to rebuild the trust that has been lost. 

The wider charity sector is watching closely, and so are the public. If this scandal remains unresolved, it will make it even harder for charities to navigate the already difficult landscape of fundraising, and that’s a tragedy for everyone who relies on their support.

Charity work is not just about asking for money, it’s about making a promise, a promise to the people who need it most, and a promise that every penny will be used wisely. The public doesn’t owe us their trust, but we do owe them our integrity.

So I’m making a simple request, pleading with Hannah Ingram-Moore for the sake of the charities, for the sake of the people who need them, and for the sake of restoring the public’s faith in a sector that, at its heart, is built on kindness and community.

And it’s to heed the words of Bob Geldof – give us the money.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

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