Action for Kids fires giant snail Marathon fundraiser for not raising enough 4

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 14 Jun 2011

Action for Kids sacked a fundraiser who completed the London Marathon in a giant snail suit because he failed to hit his targets.

Lloyd Scott, who was on a six-month contract with the charity, had raised £20,000 by the time he was fired, 11 days after he finished the Marathon, for not reaching his target. His target is understood to have been in the six-figures. Scott has blamed the sluggish economic environment for not raising the funds.

In a statement Action for Kids said that the board’s decision was made on the basis of the losses made by the charity as a result of Scott’s high-profile fundraising effort. While Sally Bishop, founder of the charity, said that the snail stunt had raised the profile of Action for Kids, it had not brought in the necessary funds.

"Due to limited resources, like all charities Action for Kids must make sure that we make the best possible use of our limited funds,” said Bishop.

"Our priority is always to our donors, and the children and families we support. So it is with regret we had to take this decision."

Directory: The London Marathon Charitable Trust

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PS Siu
Fundraiser
RNS
16 Jun 2011

Great - strip him of his dignity, then his job - I'm surprised they didn't cut his bits off whilst they were at it.

[Reply]

Jo E
14 Jun 2011

I'm more than a little disconcerted that the organisation is expected to get a programme of community fundraising up and running in a 6-month period. Does anyone think this is a reasonable expectation? I'd expect it to just be starting to pick up by that point, but not be something that could be totally achieved in that time.

[Reply]

John Smith
14 Jun 2011

Its no news that the perception about the charity sector is that, its filled with incompetent people. People without sound educational background.

Who is to blame? The human resource system or the numerous charity recruitment agencies?

[Reply]

Barry
Consultant
John Grain Associates Ltd
17 Jun 2011
Response to [John Smith]

Hmmmm! I do have a sound educational background ... probably even by 'John Smith's' high standards. I don't understand your point though 'John'. Are you saying that Lloyd Scott didn't go to university and is therefore too stupid to have realised that he wasn't going to hit target or Sally Bishop is the NED for sacking him?

Regardless, despite my own excellent education, I have met other fundraisers with a 'sound education' who were a complete waste of their charity's wage. I've also met some of your NEDs who I've marvelled at.

Surely, you don't need a university education to excel in our sector (or any other for that matter). I agree that it can be a real help - particularly at the top. But the moment we become elitist, many of us will lose the heart of our supporters too (specially those who rely on community fundraising).

What about people without a 'sound education' but with excellent people skills? And experience and proven track record in their area of fundraising is surely as valuable as any degree?

[Reply]

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