Sweet charity?

Thought I'd try my hand at a bit of investigative journalism.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/78711/troubled-charity-sets-up-home-in-rochdale

Why does Rochdale always end up with the 'flotsam and jetsam' in our society? the last thing we need in our town is a dubious organisation such as this taking up residence here.

Possibly all the recent negative press about Rochdale has prompted their move here and they believe they could operate here with total impunity!

Well done, Hinch. There are some very iffy so called 'charities' about, that give real charities a bad name. A problem, because people do want to give to genuine charitable causes. 'Charity' scams need exposing for what they are.

Investigative journalism can be hard work, and as you have explained, doesn't necessarily make a wage. It needs doing though, because if many of the things that are wrong were exposed earlier on, scandals would not be allowed to fester for years and do so much damage.

Running a charity scam pays well, so does dealing drugs. Grooming and selling young girls as prostitutes pays, being a corrupt politician seems to have financial advantages, even running a fast food shop without spending anything much on keeping the place clean seems to turn a profit. One way and the other, crime and corruption seem to pay very well in many cases. It would be good if there was a way investigative journalism could be made to pay, there is certainly plenty wants investigating, and the public might be happier if they had more confidence that something effective was being done about all these things.

Due to lack of effective investigative journalism, we have the Jimmy Saville effect, where people get away with things 'in clear view'. Lots of people may have an inkling of what is going on, but until a journalist has the time and inclination to research and piece the facts together, it carries on.

If especially young journalists could be encouraged to do investigative journalism, it might be a very good thing. How can investigative journalism be encouraged, are there any prizes for it?

Poppyanna555 wrote:Why does Rochdale always end up with the 'flotsam and jetsam' in our society? the last thing we need in our town is a dubious organisation such as this taking up residence here.

Possibly all the recent negative press about Rochdale has prompted their move here and they believe they could operate here with total impunity!

I have echoed your thoughts with my comment under the story on RO.

I

Poppyanna555 wrote:Possibly all the recent negative press about Rochdale has prompted their move here and they believe they could operate here with total impunity!

A woman with the same name as the CEO of the 'Agapao' troubled charity, Louise Chicot, also used to work for RMBC, from 2006 to September 2009, in Further Ed and Curriculum Development .. maybe simply a very unfortunate name coincidence !


http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/78711/troubled-charity-sets-up-home-in-rochdale.

Poppyanna555 wrote:Why does Rochdale always end up with the 'flotsam and jetsam' in our society? the last thing we need in our town is a dubious organisation such as this taking up residence here.

Possibly all the recent negative press about Rochdale has prompted their move here and they believe they could operate here with total impunity!

Or, alternatively, they live locally.

£5,000 to the winner and £1,000 to each of five runners-up.

One of the problems for an aspiring investigative journalist is finding local things that need investigating, still, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Maybe a prize will come to Rochdale?

I am a sweet charity. Just send all your bags of sweets to me. I have a terrible sweet tooth. Asked my dentist.

Merging charity funding through a series of private companies is a specialist branch of accountancy. Similar to money laundering, but a bit easier. It's incredible how much charity money is available for those that know the ropes and how to set up an apparently charitable enterprise. One of the important tricks is to get innocent volunteers to actually do some useful work, as a cover.

Charly wrote:I'd like to know a bit more about the connection between the 2 organisations

Where's that Inspector Hinch Clouseau gone off to then?

Oh well, the CEO-founder of the 'Agapao' charity, (Anne) Louise Chicot, declared the main initiatives and her own interests of: • Agapao International • Re-Loved and • Operation Telefund ... seemingly linked by Director(s), social conscience and raising charity monies for various worthy causes.


It appears to be a complex situation that an MP from Lancs tried very hard to flesh out. I wonder who the landlord is for their Rochdale premises ?

cyfrifia wrote:
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If especially young journalists could be encouraged to do investigative journalism, it might be a very good thing. How can investigative journalism be encouraged ?

The Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) is a charity that champions critical, in-depth reporting and the defence of the public interest.

It came into being in 2003 to address a deepening crisis in investigative reporting.

Some of the best investigative journalists, editors, activists and filmmakers from all over the world, have spoken and taught at their events. -------------------- They do great Summer Schools