Naomi Campbell, has been disqualified from serving as a charity trustee following a comprehensive investigation by a regulatory body that revealed significant financial misconduct within the charity she has represented for over ten years. This organization, known as Fashion For Relief, is designed to aid poverty alleviation but has fallen under scrutiny for its operations.
As a result of the Charity Commission’s inquiry, Campbell has been barred from acting as a trustee for a period of five years. The investigation brought to light that Fashion For Relief donated only a minuscule portion of the millions it raised through high-profile celebrity fashion events to actual charitable causes, calling into question the integrity of its fundraising efforts.
Moreover, the charity has been criticized for its lavish spending. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of pounds were allocated for opulent hotel accommodations, spa services, cigarettes, and personal security for Campbell herself. Disturbingly, officials disclosed that unauthorised payments totaling hundreds of thousands of pounds were made to another trustee of the charity.
In a significant turn of events, investigators managed to recover nearly £350,000 (approximately $467,000), which has since been allocated to reputable charities, including Save the Children and the Mayor’s Fund for London. The latter had filed a complaint about Fashion For Relief four years prior, after their fundraising collaborations soured.
Bianka Hellmich, one of Campbell’s fellow trustees, has been disqualified from holding a trustee position for a staggering nine years due to her receipt of £290,000 (around $387,000) in unauthorised consultancy fees and expense reimbursements over just two years. Another trustee, Veronica Chou, faces a four-year ban as well.
The investigation uncovered a troubling history characterized by ineffective financial management and chaotic bookkeeping practices at the charity. Ultimately, Fashion For Relief was officially dissolved in March.
Tim Hopkins, the Charity Commission’s assistant director for specialist investigations and standards, commented on the situation, stating, “Trustees are legally obligated to make decisions that are in the best interests of their charity and to adhere to their legal duties and responsibilities. Our findings indicate that the trustees of this charity failed in these obligations, necessitating our decision to disqualify them.” He also expressed satisfaction over the recovery of £344,000 and the safeguarding of an additional £98,000 in charitable funds during the inquiry, reaffirming that this process has resulted in donations being made to other supported charities.
Written by Patrick Butler
