Fish4Dogs has helped a rescue charity that was fleeced of its finances by a bogus ‘volunteer’.
K9 Crusaders, based near Truro, Cornwall, had between £88,000 and £200,000 stolen from its funds by a career criminal.
The charity’s founder Sue Smith appeared on Channel 5’ ‘Do the Right Thing’ to tell her story and warn other charities of the danger.
Sue was moved to tears during the live show, which aired last week (6 January), when it was revealed how kind-hearted businesses had chipped in to help her charity recover. They donated two sheds, packed with dog food including a selection of dry food, treats and canned wet food.
During the consumer show, which is fronted by Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, Sue told how she was befriended by Katrina Jones on an online dog’s forum who claimed to be a qualified accountant and offered her to help run the charity’s finances.
Sue was particularly vulnerable at the time as her husband, with whom she had founded K9 Crusades had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and dementia.
Following his death, she found the strength to continue working, discovered the financial irregularities and reported them to the police.
In 2015, Jones was found guilty of 29 counts of theft totally more than £500,000 from a number of organisations but K9 Crusaders were unable to recover a single penny.
The charity with its mission to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome needs dogs, has cared for more than 3000 animals over the years.
Programme makes GooWoo Media contacted Fish4Dogs for help.
Executive Producer, Richard Woolfe, said: “The Do the Right Thing team can’t thank Fish4Dogs enough. It really is very kind indeed and will be much appreciated by K9 Crusaders.”
The Charity Commission advises all charities to be vigilant to potential fraud and to seek advice and help from the gov.uk website.
To donate, or fundraise for K9 Crusaders, you can visit www.caninecrusaders.org.
