A music education charity named after one of the victims of the 2016 Manchester Arena terror attack has warned about that some accounts have been using the organisation’s name to raise funds without permission.
The Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust (Eilidh’s Trust) was set up in Scotland in 2018 memory of a 14-year-old, keen bagpiper, from the Isle of Barra who died in the 2016 attack.
The charity provides music education and support for young people, and has so far awarded over £100,000 in grants.
In a post on social media, the charity said it had recently been made aware of accounts fundraising purportedly on behalf of the charity, but clarified that it “is the only registered charity operating in Eilidh’s name”.
“Any individuals or groups who are authorised to fundraise on behalf of Eilidh’s Trust will do so under the charity regulations and governance of Eilidh’s Trust, with the knowledge and approval of the trust,” it said.
“We have no affiliation with any unauthorised accounts or fundraising activities.
“Any accounts that have been brought to our attention and which may be representing themselves as fundraising on our behalf without authorisation have been reported to the relevant governing bodies.”
The charity did not specify through which platform the fraudulent accounts were operating, but asked that potential donors ensure that their donations are through Eilidh’s Trust or an “authorised fundraiser operating on behalf of the charity”.
A spokesperson for the charity told Civil Society that it is “aware of the concerns raised and is taking appropriate steps in relation to the matter”.
