Accounts of Captain Sir Tom's charity which has supported Milton Keynes hospice to be investigated

Hero fundraiser's foundation donated £40,000 to help fund new social worker for children and families
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

An investigation into the accounts of the charity set up to honour fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore is to be launched by the Charity Commission.

An investigation, however does not necessarily mean there has been any wrongdoing.

Sir Tom became a household name during 2020 after walking 100 laps of his garden, raising £33m for the NHS.

Captain Sir Tom's daughter and grandson pictured with Willen Hospice staffCaptain Sir Tom's daughter and grandson pictured with Willen Hospice staff
Captain Sir Tom's daughter and grandson pictured with Willen Hospice staff

According to national news reports, accounts show the Captain Tom Foundation gave out grants of £160,000 to four charities, including Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes, and paid out more than £162,000 in management costs in its first year.

The financial statement included reimbursement costs of £16,097 paid to Club Nook Ltd, a company run by Sir Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore.

These costs were for accommodation, security and transport for Sir Tom “travelling around the UK to promote the charity”.

Media reports state there were also payments of £37,942 paid to Maytrix Group Ltd, a company run by Hannah and her husband, relating to photography, office rental, telephone and third-party consultancy costs.

Superhero fundraiser Captain Sir Tom MooreSuperhero fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore
Superhero fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore

The foundation, which is registered in Dunstable, has said it welcomes the investigation and a statement issued by the Charity Commission said: “We have been in ongoing contact with the trustees of the Captain Tom Foundation on its set-up and governance arrangements and as part of this work will now assess the charity’s recently submitted accounts.”News of the investigation comes just a week after Captain Sir Tom's daughter Hannah and grandson visited Willen Hospice on the anniversary of his death, to see first-hand the difference the family's support has made.

Hannah Ingram-Moore and her son Benjie Ingram-Moore said it was "wonderful" to witness how the former British Army officer's legacy had lived on on the hospice.

The new role enables the Hospice to offer pre and post bereavement support to children and young people – in particular supporting parents and relatives to tell children about their terminal diagnosis. and dealing with the emotional issues that arise for the whole family.

Jackie McLeod, the new children and family social worker, whose role has been funded thanks to The Captain Tom Foundation, said: "It has been amazing to get this funding for this post and to create a holistic service. It means so much for me to say, ‘We are going to be there for your family when you are not around, and we will support them.’ It allows people to have a good death.”

Superhero fundraiser Captain Sir Tom MooreSuperhero fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore
Superhero fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore

Hannah said: “It’s so wonderful to see my father’s legacy live on here in Willen Hospice, particularly on this one-year anniversary of his passing.

“Coming here today, you can feel this incredible aura of peacefulness. It has been wonderful to hear the explanations of what happened with the money donated in my father’s memory through The Captain Tom Foundation, and the difference it has made."

Hannah added: "Everything we do we counsel my Dad, even now, we think ‘What would he have thought about that? Are we making the right decision in his name?’ and I genuinely believe if he walked through these doors he would be thrilled. He would be so proud to see the impact he has had.”

Peta Wilkinson, Willen Hospice Chief Executive, said “The donation from The Captain Tom Foundation is amazing. We are a charity who receive about 18% of our funding from the NHS, the rest of our money has to be fundraised from the local community and through generous gifts such as this one. We have deployed that money to this fabulous service, which supports children and young people and their families through pre and post bereavement at a time that is difficult for the families, and often in very complex situations.

Superhero fundraiser Captain Sir Tom MooreSuperhero fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore
Superhero fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore

"The idea was to ensure to money donated by The Captain Tom Foundation would fund a service that was completely in tune with Captain Sir Tom’s values, and the values of the Foundation, and we felt this was the perfect mix. This is a fitting tribute and lasting legacy of what Captain Sir Tom gave to the world.”

So far, the Children and Family Social Worker has supported more than 85 families and 250 children and young people.