A glitzy charity fundraising gala at the British Museum organized by supermodel Naomi Campbell five years ago, aimed at raising money for young people in poverty, has come under scrutiny due to financial misconduct revealed in a recent Charity Commission report. Despite receiving rave reviews and positive media coverage for its stylish and philanthropic mission, Fashion For Relief was found to have mismanaged funds and left charity partners out of pocket.
Campbell, along with two other trustees, has been banned from taking on senior charity roles for several years as a result of the report’s findings. The charity, which raised nearly £4.8m over five years, spent the majority of its funds on hosting extravagant gala events, with only 10% going to partner charities. Details of Campbell’s personal expenses, including a €3,000-a-night hotel stay and €4,000 for a security team, charged to the charity, have raised further concerns.
Despite claims of good faith and blame towards outside advisers, Campbell has instructed new advisers to investigate the situation further. She has denied any personal gain from her philanthropic work and defended herself against the report’s conclusions, stating that she has never been paid for her involvement in Fashion For Relief.
Campbell’s credibility as a philanthropist in the UK has been called into question by the report, despite her previous charity initiatives and positive publicity. The charity’s swift closure in 2022 following concerns about its behavior further highlights the magnitude of the mismanagement and financial misconduct that came to light.
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