Comments on: The Mystery of the Children to Lapland Appeal http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:35:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: john http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-120946 john Thu, 19 May 2011 08:11:39 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-120946 IMPORTANT ----The Children to Lapland Appeal lost its charity status , please visit http://www.revenue.ie/en/business/authorised-charities.html IMPORTANT —-The Children to Lapland Appeal lost its charity status , please visit http://www.revenue.ie/en/business/authorised-charities.html

]]> By: Walsh http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-117959 Walsh Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:50:14 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-117959 typical example how a charity turns into a profitable business....... huge profits from flights and other operations typical example how a charity turns into a profitable business……. huge profits from flights and other operations

]]> By: g kennedy http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-117001 g kennedy Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:30:36 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-117001 Ref. workers in the chairty office in Dublin, this are all volunteers paid minimum expenses hourly rate. No big Anglo salaries here, just hard work with no bonuses etc. Very difficult to raise funds this year, chairman no longer involved in travel trade, in fact was very ill in 2010 himself Stage 3 cancer, but thankfully recovering. Using a lot of his own personal funds to fund the charity, so rather than knocking the hard work why not come on board and see how it all works. Charity walks cycles etc. are a popular way to raise funds, most of the large charities run these, including Wheelchair association, children in need, etc. etc. Our charity walks are aimed at office based workers, or retired people who do 50 k of leisure walks whilst on the trip, ie. 4 walks of approx 12 ks per walk, so they get sponsored for these walks all is above board. We did suffer in 2009 when a number of our collection boxes were taken under false pretences, and the gardai are ware of all of this, and a number of people were brought to court over these offences and found guilty, and the courts awarded in some cases the fines to be paid to the Charity. So we are well above board, and have all the correct police clearances, and permits where necessary. Our accounts are fully audited and presented to Revenue, each year, so we have nothing to hide. Perhaps this year, you could show some goodwill to a hard working charity, going through bad times like everyone else. Gabi 21 February 2011 Ref. workers in the chairty office in Dublin, this are all volunteers paid minimum expenses hourly
rate. No big Anglo salaries here, just hard work with no bonuses etc.

Very difficult to raise funds this year, chairman no longer involved in travel trade, in fact was very
ill in 2010 himself Stage 3 cancer, but thankfully recovering.

Using a lot of his own personal funds to fund the charity, so rather than knocking the hard work
why not come on board and see how it all works.

Charity walks cycles etc. are a popular way to raise funds, most of the large charities run these, including
Wheelchair association, children in need, etc. etc.

Our charity walks are aimed at office based workers, or retired people who do 50 k of leisure walks
whilst on the trip, ie. 4 walks of approx 12 ks per walk, so they get sponsored for these walks all
is above board.

We did suffer in 2009 when a number of our collection boxes were taken under false pretences, and
the gardai are ware of all of this, and a number of people were brought to court over these offences
and found guilty, and the courts awarded in some cases the fines to be paid to the Charity.

So we are well above board, and have all the correct police clearances, and permits where necessary.

Our accounts are fully audited and presented to Revenue, each year, so we have nothing to hide.

Perhaps this year, you could show some goodwill to a hard working charity, going through bad times
like everyone else.

Gabi
21 February 2011

]]> By: John http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-109751 John Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:37:02 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-109751 Alan, great post, more doubts, came to notice that there are full-time staff based in Dublin office , but couldnt figure out the salary figures on the annual return.... Alan, great post, more doubts, came to notice that there are full-time staff based in Dublin office , but couldnt figure out the salary figures on the annual return….

]]> By: Alan http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-108162 Alan Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:45:02 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-108162 I just got a fax yesterday about some fundraising appeal to do with this Children to Lapland charity. Just to so I'm clear is the following the way the organisation works: Individuals raise a sum of money which is given to the charity which brings sick kids to lapland. The individual who raises the money is usually brought on a walking tour somewhere exotic, once they raise enough. Fortunately the lad running the charity happens to have a finger in the travel trade so he gets a great deal on the trips (from himself). Then when it comes to bringing the kids away he also happens to have a map, plane etc so looked after this (while wearing his travel company) hat as well. And this all worked fine until the commission for aviation decided pulled his licence. I'm no forensic accountant but pulling the charity returns last night (you can download from the CRO.ie website for a nominal fee) the turnover in order to bring a few sick kids away is staggering, I'm not saying that the figures don't add up or that there's anything inappropriate, everything is more or less legal (all looks fine in an Anglo Irish kinda way, if your with me). Don't get me wrong, with personal family circumstances sick kids are up there at the very top of my list of charity's, but reading through the previous posts its stunning that this is being allowed to happen and I really feel so angry that decent hard working fund raisers are being used to provide a revenue stream to Mr Murphy et al. Alan I just got a fax yesterday about some fundraising appeal to do with this Children to Lapland charity.

Just to so I'm clear is the following the way the organisation works:

Individuals raise a sum of money which is given to the charity which brings sick kids to lapland. The individual who raises the money is usually brought on a walking tour somewhere exotic, once they raise enough. Fortunately the lad running the charity happens to have a finger in the travel trade so he gets a great deal on the trips (from himself). Then when it comes to bringing the kids away he also happens to have a map, plane etc so looked after this (while wearing his travel company) hat as well.

And this all worked fine until the commission for aviation decided pulled his licence.

I'm no forensic accountant but pulling the charity returns last night (you can download from the CRO.ie website for a nominal fee) the turnover in order to bring a few sick kids away is staggering, I'm not saying that the figures don't add up or that there's anything inappropriate, everything is more or less legal (all looks fine in an Anglo Irish kinda way, if your with me).

Don't get me wrong, with personal family circumstances sick kids are up there at the very top of my list of charity's, but reading through the previous posts its stunning that this is being allowed to happen and I really feel so angry that decent hard working fund raisers are being used to provide a revenue stream to Mr Murphy et al.

Alan

]]> By: John http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-98890 John Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:20:21 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-98890 Just wondering why no news about Lapland Appeal charity ...still alive ? Just wondering why no news about Lapland Appeal charity …still alive ?

]]> By: John http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-92117 John Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:31:17 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-92117 Bock , if that happens, It will affect United travel as they offers '' great deals'' for charity including flights, ground handling , accommodation etc . All legitimate charities raised money to help the Haiti victims... Liz ,why cant to raise few penny's to help those victims - why dreaming only about flights to Lapland and expensive charity walks .... Bock , if that happens, It will affect United travel as they offers " great deals" for charity including flights, ground handling , accommodation etc .

All legitimate charities raised money to help the Haiti victims… Liz ,why cant to raise few penny's to help those victims – why dreaming only about flights to Lapland and expensive charity walks ….

]]> By: Bock http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-91979 Bock Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:27:21 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-91979 Instead of walking in the Philippines or Thailand, people could stay at home and use the three grand they save to send children to Lapland. Instead of walking in the Philippines or Thailand, people could stay at home and use the three grand they save to send children to Lapland.

]]> By: liz http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-91973 liz Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:13:21 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-91973 Dear scotlyn i persume you did'nt notice the children to lapland appeal have nothing to do with atlantic media anymore. did you not see the programe on tv with con murphy on it? And bock if i go on a walk i pay for it out of my own money. my family have raised a good bit of money for the charity and have received receipts in full for the same. As for scot i dont think he was the only one caught out, a few people were. Like 2 people caught collecting money in portlaoise from galway ill-legally and were fined a thousand euro each by the judge. Their is a certain group going around doing this with all charities around the country. With the new charity act coming in will stop an awful lot of fraud with registered charities. good luck liz Dear scotlyn i persume you did'nt notice the children to lapland appeal have nothing to do with atlantic media anymore. did you not see the programe on tv with con murphy on it? And bock if i go on a walk i pay for it out of my own money. my family have raised a good bit of money for the charity and have received receipts in full for the same. As for scot i dont think he was the only one caught out, a few people were. Like 2 people caught collecting money in portlaoise from galway ill-legally and were fined a thousand euro each by the judge. Their is a certain group going around doing this with all charities around the country. With the new charity act coming in will stop an awful lot of fraud with registered charities. good luck liz

]]> By: Scotlyn http://bocktherobber.com/2009/08/the-mystery-of-the-children-to-lapland-appea-2/comment-page-1/#comment-91814 Scotlyn Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:57:50 +0000 http://bocktherobber.com/?p=7849#comment-91814 Hi Bock, been working too hard to check in with you lately ... this piece reminds me - I got "caught" a bit over a year ago (around Nov 2008?) by a plea from Atlantic Media - I was offered an ad on a wall planner to be distributed to 30,000 households "in my area" and which would raise funds for the Children to Lapland appeal. I eventually received a copy of the wall planner, but could never find out if anyone else in my area got one. The salesperson on the phone had successfully seduced me into an initial commitment, and although I quickly developed second thoughts, I felt it would be dishonourable to back out. Nevertheless when I checked out, as you did, the connections between the appeal and all the related cross-directorships involved, I smelled a rat, and refused to renew my "ad" the following year. Wish I'd had hard info, not just an inkling, when I first got sweet-talked on the phone, though. This kind of research is excellent, and is why I've put your site on my top five list for whenever I've got some spare minutes. Keep up the good work. Hi Bock, been working too hard to check in with you lately
… this piece reminds me – I got "caught" a bit over a year ago (around Nov 2008?) by a plea from Atlantic Media – I was offered an ad on a wall planner to be distributed to 30,000 households "in my area" and which would raise funds for the Children to Lapland appeal. I eventually received a copy of the wall planner, but could never find out if anyone else in my area got one. The salesperson on the phone had successfully seduced me into an initial commitment, and although I quickly developed second thoughts, I felt it would be dishonourable to back out. Nevertheless when I checked out, as you did, the connections between the appeal and all the related cross-directorships involved, I smelled a rat, and refused to renew my "ad" the following year. Wish I'd had hard info, not just an inkling, when I first got sweet-talked on the phone, though. This kind of research is excellent, and is why I've put your site on my top five list for whenever I've got some spare minutes. Keep up the good work.

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