An education charity in Newcastle has sought to reassure beneficiaries after a former employee was sentenced for defrauding the organisation out of more than £46,000.
Administrator Faye Dent transferred the Reece Foundation’s money out of its accounts to fund her gambling habit, the Shields Gazette reported yesterday.
Dent was sentenced to 20 months, suspended for 12 months, with mental health and rehabilitation requirements, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Anne Reece, the charity’s chair, acknowledged the conviction of the former employee – who admitted fraud by abuse of position – but said her organisation remained in a healthy position.
“The foundation remains financially stable and fully committed to its grantmaking activities,” Reece told Civil Society.
“We want to reassure beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders that we continue to operate and award funding in line with our charitable aims.”
She added: “We are grateful for the patience and understanding shown during this difficult period.”
The grantmaker’s total funds at the end of 2024 were £30.2m, an increase from £28.4m the year prior.
During 2024, the Reece Foundation awarded grants of £1.26m, falling from £1.51m the year before, while its total income was £376,000.
Offences committed by sole employee
Dent, the charity’s sole employee at the time, sent £46,493 of charity money to a joint account with her husband between September and December 2024, the Shields Gazette reported.
The court heard that she fabricated business names and correspondence to avoid detection.
Dent’s defending lawyer said she fell victim to the gambling industry while committing these offences.
The Reece Foundation was established in 2007 by Anne Reece’s father Alan to promote engineering and manufacturing in the north east of England.
It now has five trustees and a staff member employed as an administrator, according to its website.
