Forum Topic

Charity collectors outside North Acton station

I've noticed that almost every day we have people collecting for charities outside North Acton. I normally like to give something to charity collectors but recently have been wondering - they say they are collecting for disabled children and seem to have ID passes etc but I've never heard of the charities and the people doing the collecting don't look like volunteers. Anyone know anything?

Patrick Gray ● 5568d7 Comments

While talking about North Acton Stn, can I just say how impressed I am with all the flower displays that they have put up. They deserve an award!

Patrick Gray ● 5568d

We often have them in Acton Town station.  I presume they're official and approved by LUL as they are collecting inside the station (sometimes in fancy dress).  And Barons Court as well, come to think of it.

Olga Sidoryk ● 5568d

I was just wondering today - as I came through Acton Town and there were people collecting for a charity of which I have never heard - do they have the tfl guarantee of good faith and legitimacy if they are allowed to collect on tfl premises? I would rather assume so but would quite like it confirmed

Sara Nathan ● 5568d

The collector at North Acton was wearing a badge with MAKWF Trust written on it. I looked it up on the internet - it stands for Moslem Ali Khan Welfare Foundation. They claim to support projects in Bangladesh but there's very little information on the website about what they do. Judging from the project names, a lot of their work involves running Islamic schools (madrassahs). I wonder how many people who are dropping money into their buckets realise that they are helping to support Islamic schools in Bangladesh? I am going to drop an email to lulcharities@tfl.gov.uk There is also an organisation called the Fund Raising Standards Board which polices this area. http://www.frsb.org.uk/english/give-with-confidence/ . Apparently it is illegal for charities to do collections in public places using paid workers (it is OK on private property. I'm not sure if outside a tube station is regarded as private or public property).

Patrick Gray ● 5567d

If on London Underground land they need permission from LU.  If on Council land, ie on the pavement outside the station - the Council will need to know about what's taking place on their property (the pavement) - they (the Council) should check out all the details and make a judgement on whether it is legal or not. If illegal, the Council should carry out enforcement action.Are they blocking the entrance to the station?

Dee Cook ● 5567d

They aren't blocking the entrance or a nuisance in that way. My concern is that they are not being open about who they are and what they are collecting for. They say they are collecting for disabled children yet it appears that much of their work is for setting up and supporting Islamic schools in Bangladesh. This may be a good thing but I would have liked to have known before giving money to them. It will be interesting to see what response I get from LUL. I for one, from now on, will only give to charities I've heard of, however compelling the patter

Patrick Gray ● 5566d

i had a chugger for a childrens charity knock on my door the other day. i gave him a few minutes not least because we have a young child and i guess thats how we work as humans, but im pretty sure they're not supposed to do this. Thankfully i remembered a phrase from a friend "if you want an answer now, its a no."I did feel a bit pressured, ie do you want to help children or not eh?

Antony Obrien ● 5565d