The family of the late NHS charities fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore has come under scrutiny in a recent report by the Charity Commission. The report revealed that Captain Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, and her husband, Colin Ingram-Moore, personally benefited from the charity set up in Captain Tom’s name, the Captain Tom Foundation, through a series of lucrative deals amounting to over £1 million.
The inquiry found that the Ingram-Moores engaged in “serious and repeated” misconduct, mismanagement, and failures of integrity. They blurred the lines between their private interests and those of the charity, ultimately gaining “significant” personal benefits. The report highlighted a controversial £1.5 million three-book deal signed on behalf of Captain Tom by Hannah Ingram-Moore, which was initially promoted as benefiting the charity but turned out to be primarily a commercial deal enriching the family.
Furthermore, Hannah Ingram-Moore’s appointment as chief executive of the charity raised concerns, as she initially suggested a salary of £150,000, which was later reduced to £85,000 by the commission. Additionally, she received £18,000 from Virgin Media for judging an awards program, which was deemed unauthorized and a conflict of interest.
The Ingram-Moores also used the charity’s name inappropriately for personal gain, including in a planning application for a spa complex at their family home, which was subsequently demolished. The report criticized the family’s lack of transparency and the misleading information provided during the charity’s registration process.
As a result of the inquiry, Hannah and Colin Ingram-Moore were disqualified as trustees and banned from holding senior management positions at any charity for 10 and 8 years, respectively. Despite their claims of not misappropriating charity funds, the commission found evidence of misconduct and conflicts of interest.
The Captain Tom Foundation, established in June 2020 to support various causes including hospices and mental health charities, has ceased taking donations since 2023. The foundation received £1.5 million in donations over two years, with only £370,000 distributed in grants.
In response to the report, a spokesperson for the foundation expressed satisfaction with the Charity Commission’s findings and urged the Ingram-Moores to return the funds due to the foundation for donation to deserving charities, aligning with Captain Tom’s intended legacy. The Ingram-Moores, on the other hand, criticized the inquiry’s impact on their family’s well-being and reputation, alleging selective storytelling by the commission.
The story of Captain Tom Moore’s fundraising efforts, which began with a humble goal of raising £1,000 by walking laps in his garden during the pandemic, has been tainted by the revelations of the inquiry. Despite his inspiring legacy, the charity set up in his name failed to uphold the values of transparency and integrity expected of charitable organizations.
