Don't be conned by pub scammers pretending to fundraise for Zoe's Place baby hospice

[dutchman]

They have been spotted collecting 'donations' at pubs across Coventry and surrounding areas



Cruel scammers posing as fundraisers for baby hospice Zoe’s Place are preying on kindhearted Coventrians, the Telegraph has learned.

A warning has been issued by the charity after reports that women have been approaching people in pubs in the city claiming to be fundraising.

The two women were seen in a host of pubs on Saturday claiming that they were taking donations for the hospice, which provides care for children with life-limiting conditions.

Jane McGaffney, a community fundraiser at Zoe’s Place, said was alerted to the scam when one of her colleagues phoned her.

She said: “One of her friends was in the pub and said people were in there in Zoe’s Place clothing asking for donations.

“That’s totally against our policy.

“The only time we do collections is in supermarkets when it’s been agreed with stores, we never do cold calls.”

Mrs McGaffney: “Families use our facilities because they are desperate, they are desperate for some respite.

“Just to think that people can be so despicable and to actually target people using the name of a hospice.

“After the publicity we had about the other woman and saying we don’t collect in this way people are still being fooled by this, it’s appalling and so underhand.”

The charity, which is based in Easter Way, Ash Green, have warned people not to give cash to anyone in pubs claiming to be collecting for the hospice.

Mrs McGaffney added: “If anyone is approached by someone saying they are collecting for Zoe’s Place that is not in a supermarket please do not give them any money.

“It’s theft, it’s deceitful and it’s absolutely abhorrent what they are doing.

“Please don’t give to anybody doing that and please call us if it happens, if we don’t know anything about it we can’t do anything.”

Mrs McGaffney said: “We have been duped but it’s a learning curve and we will have a big meeting and tighten things up.”

CCTV of the women has been passed to police.

Anyone with information that could help police with the investigation should call 101 using the crime reference number 260 of April 16 or call Zoe’s Place on 024 76 361 675.

[Melisandre]

I am not surprised the scamers have done this with Zoe s place being mentioned in the press so much.

[rebbonk]

It's a real dirty one though isn't it?

Some people are real sh*ts.

[Melisandre]

Yes it is Rebbonk but I live in the real world put it this way would you keep advertising how much money you have raised in your house hold nowadays . Its a sad greedy selfish world we now live in.

[rebbonk]

Its a sad greedy selfish world we now live in.

You are so right. The days that we grew up with of community spirit and looking out for each other are long gone.

[dutchman]

Perhaps the thieves should have read this:

"Zoe's Place unable to run at full capacity after missing £1.3m fundraising target"

[Melisandre]

Yes that should be the message to show that they are struggling and poor they will leave you alone then.

[Melisandre]

Yes Rebbonk it s all gone now if you look out for nieghbours or others now they accuse you of spying on them and retaliate in spiteful ways which I ve experienced my self or get accused of being a grass by the people you are trying to protect.