OSCR to investigate mismanagement at Scottish children's charity 1

Fundraising | Vibeka Mair | 9 Feb 2010

OSCR has opened an inquiry into Scottish children’s charity the Sick Kids Foundation following press reports that its £15m New Pyjamas Campaign has spent more than £500,000 but raised just £60,000 in its first ten months.

The New Pyjamas Campaign was launched in 2008 to raise £15m for a new hospital for children.

However, it has been reported in the Scottish press that the campaign’s director Elaine McGonigle has been suspended from her post after trustees raised concerns that she had spent more than £500,000 yet raised just £60,000 in ten months.

It has also been reported that McGonigle has filed a grievance against the charity.

An OSCR spokesman said: “We are aware of concerns raised in recent press reports relating to the Sick Kids Friends Foundation and are conducting inquiries in relation to these matters.”

The charity issued a statement saying: "We are well placed to deliver one-third of our original financial objective in regard to the new hospital. We fully expect to achieve the balance over the coming period.

"We are currently in discussions with all of our stakeholders as to the best way to move forward with the New Pyjamas campaign. At this point, we cannot, for reasons of confidentiality, comment on any specific matters relating to employees.

"We remain focused on reaching the £15m target, giving Edinburgh a new, world-class kids’ hospital and continuing to help make the Sick Kids even better."

Directory: Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)

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Catherine Clark
Head of Development
RSCM
11 Feb 2010

Any campaign for £15 million would be expected to cost £1.5 million -- the issue really is whether the fundraising capacity was there in the first place.

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