The interim manager of Afghan Heroes has said that he has begun winding down the charity’s operations to reduce costs, but no decision has been taken to close the charity.
This announcement follows press reports that the charity is to close, after a letter to its volunteer co-ordinators was shown to the media. Interim manager Brian Johnson has clarified reports that the “charity is not a viable concern”, saying that the charity’s operations are not viable or sustainable in the present form.
Brian Johnson said: “I regret any confusion that has arisen as a result of letters recently sent to the charity’s volunteer co-ordinators or a notice posted on the charity’s website, indicating that the charity is no longer a viable concern.
“No decision has been taken to close the charity, although I have concluded that the charity’s operations are not viable or sustainable in their present form and have begun winding these down to reduce costs. Whilst this is being done the care and assistance provided to, and the future of, the charity’s beneficiaries will remain paramount.”
The Charity Commission’s investigation into the charity continues. Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox stepped down from his role as patron of Afghan Heroes in December, citing a “breakdown in trust” after the charity failed to inform him it was being investigated by the Charity Commission.
Johnson from HW Fisher & Company, who was appointed interim manager of Afghan Heroes by the Charity Commission in February, has said that he has suspended further fundraising activities and will not look to accept any donations until further notice.
The letter which was seen by the media was supposed to be a private document, said Johnson. The Charity Commission has said that he sent the letter without consulting them.
A spokeswoman from the Charity Commission said: “We are aware of the interim manger’s updated statement clarifying the charity’s situation. We can confirm that no decision has yet been taken regarding the charity’s future. Our statutory inquiry into the charity remains ongoing.
“The IM took the step of issuing an initial statement last week before consulting us. This caused confusion. We concur with the interim manager’s most recent statement which makes clear that no decision has yet been taken regarding the charity’s future’’.
Johnson said that Afghan Heroes' financial position will become clearer once the process of reducing the charity’s operations has been accomplished. Adding: “I will then be able to devise a course of action on the future of the charity, which will be considered by the Charity Commission in its supervisory capacity.”
Afghan Heroes has been the subject of a statutory inquiry into trustee mismanagement since November 2013. The charity had an income of £548,440 in 2012, but its accounts show that it spent only £15,200 on charitable activities.
