Skipton group says they are 'hidden victims' of charity collapse (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Skipton group says they are 'hidden victims' of charity collapse

9:49am Monday 18th January 2010 in

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Air cadets claim they are “hidden victims” in the collapse of a charity which they supported with cash.

They are out of pocket by more than £1,000 after a minibus, in which they had part-share, was sold to help meet the debts of the now-defunct Craven Voluntary Action.

The Skipton-based organisation went into liquidation in July and Skipton Air Training Corps 264 Squadron has been told by liquidators it will be refunded only £421.04.

Cadets had raised £1,500 to help fund the minibus which was bought by CVA.

Lorraine Taylor-Parker, Skipton ATC secretary, said: “In 2007 we entered into an arrangement with CVA to acquire a minibus to be used jointly by both organisations.

"The cadets worked hard to raise the £1,500 from fundraising activities, such as jumble sales and collections in supermarkets and the people of Skipton were very generous.

"We used the minibus to take cadets to events like air shows.

“The cadets feel very badly let down and disheartened.

“It’s not just them, it’s the people who supported our fundraising in good faith.”

She said Skipton ATC contacted the liquidators, Fergusson Co Ltd, in October to register an interest but received no response.

The body has now got a reply confirming it would receive a £421.04 refund.

A letter from the liquidators said the minibus had been sold for £2,150.

The bus had cost £7,659.57 and Skipton ATC’s contribution represented a near 20 per cent share of the price.

An employment tribunal last month revealed that a “civil war” had broken out among CVA members over the sacking of its chief officer, whom the tribunal found had been unfairly dismissed.