UK charity arm issues 'heartfelt apology' as concerns raised over 'persistent' fundraisers

Volunteers not affiliated with Breast Cancer Now's Isle of Man group

A charity has issued an apology to Isle of Man residents after concerns were raised about the 'high pressure' tactics of some of its fundraisers.

Volunteers from the UK arm of Breast Cancer Now have been operating at Tesco & Co-Op Stores across the Island in recent days.

Concerns were raised by The Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, which claimed some shoppers had felt pushed into signing up to a direct debit.

In a statement, Breast Cancer Now's Director of Fundraising, Communications and Engagement, Rachael Franklin, says the volunteers have been through rigorous training, and the fundraising tactic is 'genuine' and 'highly regulated'.

Anyone who has signed up through this method should be rest assured that it is not a scam, she says.

The charity has also apologised to the Breast Cancer Now Volunteering in the Isle of Man group who, it says, were not made aware that the fundraisers would be visiting the Island.

"We want to apologise to Breast Cancer Now Volunteering in the Isle of Man group who were not made aware that we were going to have fundraisers on the Isle of Man, and indeed that we chose to fundraise on the island.

"  This is because of a miscommunication between teams at Breast Cancer Now. For this, we want to apologies to Angie, Sandy, Kim and all of the wonderful members of the group as it is evident that this has been a distressing for them - as they have been confused as to why the fundraisers are on the Isle of Man and have been in a difficult position not being able to easily answer questions about this campaign." -  Rachael Franklin, Director of Fundraising, Communications and Engagement.