Key Takeaways:
– Naomi Campbell, ousted from running the Fashion for Relief charity, disputes the allegations.
– UK Charity Commission cites misuse of funds as a major reason for Campbell’s disqualification.
– Campbell labels the findings as deeply flawed and has engaged new advisors.
– The Charity’s overall expenditure on grants to other charities found to be just 8.5%.
– Campbell, along with two other trustees, are prohibited from running a charity for five years.
Naomi Fights Back Against Allegations
Former supermodel Naomi Campbell, 54, is standing her ground after being scrutinised by a UK watchdog organisation. The Charity Commission has debarred her from running her charity, Fashion for Relief, for five years. Accusations of the misuse of charity funds, including paying for her luxury accommodations, have been levelled against her. Campbell, however, refutes these claims and calls the organisation’s findings “deeply flawed”.
Campbell’s Responsibility and Response
Taking the blow on the chin, Campbell has publicly recognised her accountability. “As the face of Fashion for Relief, I am ultimately responsible for its conduct,” she shared in a statement. Despite this, she clarified that she was not involved in day-to-day operations and trusted this to others. The supermodel is taking steps to correct the alleged missteps, employing new advisors to investigate what transpired at her charity.
Details of Misconduct
The watchdog’s investigation, published recently, exposed some troubling figures. Between April 2016 and July 2022, a meagre 8.5% of the charity’s total expenditure went into grants for other charities. This inadequate redistribution of funds is among the reasons for her being disqualified from running a charity for the next half a decade. Along with Campbell, two other trustees have also been handed similar prohibitions.
Campbell’s Contributions
Known for her groundbreaking career, Campbell became the first Black model in 20 years to grace the cover of UK Vogue in 1987. She went on to attain worldwide recognition in the 90s. Her influence in the industry remains significant. Despite this recent setback, she asserts her commitment to justice, stating she was never paid for her participation in Fashion for Relief and never charged it for any personal expenses.
Fashion for Relief: The Journey
Established in 2005 by Campbell, Fashion for Relief has since been the host of numerous dazzling events, geared towards raising funds for various causes. The settings have varied between the posh locales of London and Cannes. The charity aimed to support a variety of causes, from child refugees to victims of the Ebola crisis, and the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
In light of these recent allegations, Campbell is reportedly considering all options, hinting at a potential appeal against the Commission’s decision. The final outcome remains to be seen, but this certainly marks a challenging period in the supermodel’s career in philanthropy.