Warning over bogus collectors

THE East Anglian Air Ambulance is warning the public to beware bogus fundraising in its name.

The charity, which supports the air ambulance service in Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, carries out a wide variety of fund-raising throughout the region to raise the £60,000 required every month to keep the aircraft flying.

But recently they have seen an increase in people claiming to be collectors for the charity, but who are really taking advantage of the public's goodwill and support.

In some cases, leaflets are distributed to householders saying they are collecting jumble on behalf of the air ambulances, but the charity has found only a small percentage of money raised is being passed on.

Last week, a company called Air Ambulance Collections distributed leaflets in many parts of the region. The leaflets ask for donations of clothes, videos and old mobile phones in order to raise money for air ambulances.

The yellow leaflets include a mobile phone number which is described as a helpline number.

Kate Lewis, the charity's general manager, said this company was not authorised to collect for them. All their fund-raisers and volunteers carried identification including photographs.

She said: "The public should not think twice about asking to see identification or ringing our office to check that people are legitimately representing us.

"We do not undertake any door-to-door cash collections or rose-selling in pubs – and the only company that is authorised to collect jumble and old clothing from people's homes in our name is World UK Trading, which can be contacted on 01234 782823 or 07734 151974.

"It is sad to have to ask the public to look out for fund-raising that is not genuinely in aid of the air ambulance, but often there is little we can do to put a stop to it."

Anyone with any queries about any fund-raising person or activity should call the charity on 0845 066 9999.