The Good and New Cancer charity has issued a statement in relation to claims that it had excess funds of more than €400,000 in its account.
A Sunday Times article last weekend raised questions regarding the operations and finances of the charity which runs the cancer bus.
A statement issued by the charity’s PR company today said it was with disappointment and huge concern that we read the article in the Sunday Times.
The statement said the charity is keen to address the issues raised and want to ensure our good reputation is not tarnished in anyway so we can continue to provide this vital service.
It read “Our chairman (Eamonn McDevitt) was taken off guard when contacted by the journalist and is not used to answering media queries. He was mistaken in thinking that his accountant was away. The auditors have met with us and confirm the following details regarding our accounts.
“The figure of €400k mentioned in the article was from accounts filed in November 2016. It was our intention to build up this reserve which would be used to purchase a building in early 2017 (cost in the region of €270K incl legal fees, renovation, etc) to run the organisation from.
“This was completed in early 2017. Hence there was a surplus of funds on the balance sheet that the article referred to for this purpose. The rest of the cash is on the balance sheet.
“We, like most charities, aim to keep funds of up to two years running costs in the organisation, to ensure a continued service for the charity. This is standard practice within charities nationwide and our auditors can verify that the funds are there for this purpose.”
The statement aded that he charity operates a desperately needed bus service for cancer patients travelling to Galway and has (until the end of 2016) carried 713 people (approx. 8 – 10 trips per person) to treatment facilities not available in Donegal.
The charity is an association and has a registered charity number (as per the above) but is moving to a company limited by guarantee structure which was a legal requirement to purchase the property. The CLG company is in the process of seeking charity status and is working with the Charity Regulator to finalise same. This process can take some time hence the charity is still operating as an association until this process is completed.
The organisation has, today, taken a decision to create a website for The Good and New Shop which will highlight the work and the activities of the organisation. We hope this will be launched as soon as is possible in the New Year. It will be an excellent facility to show the work of our wonderful and very necessary volunteers.
It added “We are regulated by the charity regulator and can assure the public that the accounts and our charity status is operated meticulously to best practice standards. We intend to continue to provide this important service to the regions of Donegal and the patients who depend on this bus service for their vital cancer treatment”.
