Naomi Campbell's Charity Faces Scrutiny After Unicef Complaint
Naomi Campbell's charity, Fashion for Relief, is under fire after Unicef reported it to the Charity Commission for fundraising irregularities related to a 2019 event. Unicef UK has stated that it has never partnered with Fashion for Relief and received no funds from the charity's fundraising activities.
This revelation comes on the heels of Campbell being banned from serving as a charity trustee for five years following a Charity Commission inquiry that uncovered that only a small fraction of the funds raised went to legitimate causes.
Two other trustees associated with Fashion for Relief, Bianka Hellmich and Veronica Chou, received bans of nine and four years, respectively. The Charity Commission has stated that it will continue to monitor the situation to ensure compliance and accountability among charitable organisations.
The inquiry, which led to significant fallout, revealed that Fashion for Relief had been spending funds on luxury expenses like hotels, spa treatments, and unauthorised payments to trustees instead of distributing them to the intended beneficiaries. As a result, the Charity Commission decided to remove Fashion for Relief from its charity register.
At a London Fashion Week event in 2019, Fashion for Relief promoted itself as supporting Unicef and the Mayor's Fund for London. However, Unicef confirmed that it had never been involved in any official partnership with the charity.
"We have never held any official partnership with Fashion for Relief, and we have never received any funds from the 2019 event," a spokesperson for Unicef stated. This aligns with their commitment to fundraising compliance, leading them to report Fashion for Relief to the Charity Commission in 2022.
Campbell, 54, expressed her shock and concern over the findings of the inquiry, claiming she was "not in control" of the charity's operations.
"I've just found out today about the findings, and I am extremely concerned," she told the AP.
The inquiry also raised concerns from the Mayor’s Fund for London and Save the Children Fund, both of which claimed they were owed money from Fashion for Relief events.
Campbell's involvement in charity work has been overshadowed by these serious allegations. Unicef has emphasised that an official ambassadorial role requires "many years of commitment and support," something Campbell has not achieved in this context.
As the dust settles, the future of Campbell's charity endeavours remains uncertain, raising questions about transparency and accountability in charitable fundraising within the fashion industry. The scandal serves as a reminder for all charitable organisations to adhere to proper fundraising practices and ethical standards.
