Paypal has come under fire for freezing the account used to collect sales proceeds from a book filled with celebrity reminiscences about Dr Who, of which all profits are to be donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Steve Berry was taking preorders online via Paypal for his book Behind the Sofa when he found that his Paypal account had been frozen along with all of the funds within.

Berry was intending to use pre-order proceeds to fund manufacture and distribution costs but was unable to provide the documentation Paypal demanded as the book was still being finalised. Berry contacted Paypal to remedy the situation but to no avail and at one point considered funding the book himself.

However, after the book started trending on Twitter and book contributors Al Murray and Charlie Brooker questioned Paypal’s decision, Paypal issued an apology and announced funds will be released from the account. In a statement released today Paypal said:

“Paypal has apologised to Steve Berry for the way it handled payments for his book about Doctor Who, Behind the Sofa.  It is working with Mr Berry to make sure funds are released as they are needed to pay the publisher and other suppliers.

“Paypal placed restrictions on Mr Berry’s account because the payments were received months before the book was available. This is in line with Paypal’s policy of protecting buyers in case they don’t receive goods that they have pre-ordered. But we should have explained things better and worked more quickly to find a sensible compromise to ensure the success of this very good cause.”

Berry is planning to print extra copies of the book for sale in shops and via online bookstores to raise more money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.