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When was Madeleine's Fund set up and where has the money gone?
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Madeleine's Fund timeline |
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At 10.00pm Madeleine is reported missing.
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First website set up
The official Madeleine McCann website is launched under the domain name www.bringmadeleinehome.com - This does not have a 'donate' button and is a simple awareness site.
The Infohost site says: 'On the 6th of May Infohost received a call from Philomena McCann, Madeleine's aunt, asking if they would set
up a website to help find her neice. The website was setup that day as www.bringmadeleinehome.com.'
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Lawyers fly in / 'No stone unturned' mentioned for first time
Portuguese newspapers report that this is the day lawyers flew into Portugal and met with the McCanns at the Ocean Club.
Gerry McCann reads a short prepared statement to the waiting press on the road outside their holiday apartment. He specifically
emphasises that they will 'leave no stone unturned' in the search for Madeleine. He also mentions how grateful
they are with the offers of support they have received both from home and around the world.
It would appear from this statement that the name of the company had already been decided and that this was
a form of public preparation for the launch of Madeleine's Fund. Video link here.
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Madeleine's Fund created
Companies House 'Current Appointments Report' shows that Madeleine's Fund - Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited' was created
on this day:
Current Appointments Report for:
MADELEINE'S FUND: LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED LIMITED
06248215
company was created 12th May 2007
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McCann lawyers arrival officially acknowledged
It emerges, for the first time officially, that London lawyers have flown to Portugal to assist the McCanns, and
are setting up a special "fighting fund" to allow members of the public to make their own financial contribution to the search.
McCann family members in the UK confirm that 2 leading UK lawyers from the International Family Law Group (IFLG), specialising
in divorce settlements where the affected parties are from different countries, have been hired.
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The IFLG issue the following 'media release' on their website Link here:
13 May 2007
Embargo: None
Media Release
Last week, Gerry and Kate McCann instructed The International Family Law Group, London specialist
lawyers in child abduction and international family law, together with Michael Nicholls QC of 1 Hare Court, to help them in
the search for Madeleine. They have been visiting the family in Portugal.
Gerry and Kate are very grateful for all the support and generous offers of help that they are receiving.
Details of how contributions can be made to help get Madeleine back to the safety of her own family will be made available
in the next couple of days.
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McCanns lawyers approach the Charity Commission
"We were first approached for our advice about the possibility of
a fund to assist the parents' search on Monday 14 May," explained a spokeswoman for the Commission. "We held discussions with
the family's lawyers and in the end they decided not to pursue that route."
Gerry reveals help from two British lawyers at press conference
Kate and Gerry answer questions from the media for the first time,
on the road outside their holiday apartment. Gerry says he is
now being helped by two British lawyers from the Family Law Group on how best to use money pledged to help find Madeleine
and give assistance in Portuguese legal processes.
He said: "We have felt a burden lifted from our shoulders. It is
one less thing to think about. It has allowed us to concentrate more on our own physical and mental wellbeing. We do need to spend more time focusing on that and with
our twins Sean and Amelie. We do wish to keep communicating with the media however as this is essential in the search for
Maddy."
Public fund to aid Madeleine hunt BBC News
Last Updated: Monday, 14 May 2007, 00:56
GMT 01:56 UK
A "fighting fund" to which members of the public can donate to help in
the search for missing Madeleine McCann is being set up by her family's lawyers.
The legal team, which has flown out to Portugal, will reveal details of the fund within the next
few days.
The lawyers will help with liaison and will not interfere with the inquiry, Madeleine's uncle
John McCann has said.
Rewards of £2.5m have been offered to anyone with information leading to the four-year-old's
safe return.
Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from an apartment
in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on 3 May.
A spokesman for the International Family Law Group, the legal company helping
the McCanns, said: "Gerry and Kate are very grateful for all the support and generous offers of help that they are receiving.
"Details of how contributions can be made to help get Madeleine back to the safety of her own
family will be made available in the next couple of days."
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Madeleine's Fund incorporated
Date of incorporation of 'Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited' with Companies House as a private,
limited by guarantee, no share capital company.
It is thought the original idea was to set the fund up as a charity but this was rejected, according to The Times, when
it became clear that a charity cannot be operated for the sole benefit of one person. The Charity Commission later
denied this.
One of the things that distinguishes a limited company from a charity is that it does not have all the rules and regulations
which govern the conduct of the fundraising and which controls the proportion of the charities funds that are spent on overheads,
expenses and wages etc.
It was also reported at the time that the Charity Commission was extremely disturbed at the way the Fund was being advertised
as it gave people the impression that they were donating to a charity - not a private limited company.
The reality is, however unpalatable, that Madeleine's Fund is a private limited company and can therefore
spend the money donated in any way it so chooses. The memorandum of association is so wide that practically any expenditure
could be approved by the board of directors.
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Madeleine's Fund and new website launched
Madeleine's Fund is officially launched as a campaign to support her parents, find the missing youngster and bring her
home.
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The following press release has been made on behalf of the McCann Family Link here
Embargo: 15:30
Date: 16/5/07
Time: 15:30
Location: Walker Stadium, Leicester City Football Club, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL
Contact names: Esther McVey, Adele Cropper
Wed 16th May at 15:30 in Leicester at the Walker Stadium will be the press launch of:
The Madeleine Fund - Leaving no stone unturned - www. findmadeleine.com
Attending the press conference:
Close family members John McCann, Susan and Brian Healy
Launching the Madeleine Fund Martin Johnson CBE – Former England Rugby Union player and Captain
Lawyers representing he family The International Family Law Group, London
The McCann’s ‘Medical Family’ Dr Doug Skehan Clinical Director of Cardiology Respiratory services University
Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Dr Tony Gershlick Consultant Cardiologist at Glenfield Hospital
Leicester City Chief Executive Tim Davies
Leicester City Chief Executive Tim Davies said:
" Everyone
connected with this football club is hoping and praying for Madeleine’s safe and healthy return.
Madeleine has touched the hearts of so any people within the Leicestershire
community as well as this country and beyond.
I have young children myself and I want Gerry and Kate, and the rest of Maddy’s
family and friends to know that we are thinking of them every minute
of every day and are fully supportive of the Madeleine Fund.
As a family-orientated football club we will do anything and everything we
can to help ensure her safe return. "
-Ends-
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In conjunction, the website is relaunched under the new name www.findmadeleine.com, although this is not officially announced until the next day, 17 May 2007.
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New website enables donations to be made online
The newly named website is officially announced, when visitors to the site are met by the following message:
'From this morning, Thursday 17 May 2007:
Members of the public will be able to make donations to 'Madeleine's Fund : Leaving No Stone Unturned Limited' over the
counter in any branch of NatWest and The Royal Bank of Scotland'.
McCann family friend, Michael Wright, reads a prepared statement outside the couple's apartment. Video can be viewed
below.
The first three paragraphs give the impression that this is Michael Wright's own statement, with input from Gerry. But,
from the fourth paragraph onwards, it clearly becomes a statement solely from Gerry.
He says: "Gerry and Kate have asked me to give you an idea of the spread and scale of the campaign and the huge response
to the Fund that was officially launched yesterday.
Let me start by saying that Gerry and Kate have taken immense strength from the support and good wishes they are receiving from
all over the world. They have been totally overwhelmed by offers from individuals, small companies and large multi-national
corporations.
Both of them are firmly fixed on the campaign, which is designed to raise Madeleine's profile right across Europe and
ensure we bring her home safely. Their purpose is to turn hope into action.
Whilst none of us are experts in campaigning, the situation we have found ourselves in has galvanised us into action
and made us think creatively. We are leaving no stone unturned and we have a huge number of campaign partners who are helping
us to do that from sporting celebrities to big business.
Top of the list are the UK and Portuguese media, in particular, who have played a huge part in maintaining the profile
of this case and the awareness of Madeleine. We need your continued support and now need to increase the coverage right across
Europe.
Our campaign has started with an expansive poster distribution across Europe and our partners include multi-nationals
from the oil, banking, telecoms and retail sectors. Other multi-national companies have already started to include Madeleine's
image on every outgoing e-mail.
The response to yesterday's launch has been huge. The official website has received over 5 million hits today and
the scale of response has brought some difficulties and they are being dealt with.
But this is just the start. Each day brings more offers of help and new ideas. We are open to anything that will
bring Madeleine home. If anyone wants to offer practical help we can be reached at campaign@bringmadeleinehome.com"
Guardian 17 May 2007 Link (Note: This is the original report - parts of which were later removed when it was updated)
"We have got one principal objective with this fund - we want Madeleine back," said her uncle, John McCann. He explained
that the "Madeleine Fund" was the result of popular demand for a way of turning the groundswell of moral support into concrete
action.
Before its launch the fund had already raised £10,000 from medical colleagues of Gerry and Kate McCann and from a bucket
of money filled up by visitors to Leicester's Glenfield Hospital, where Madeleine's father works.
The money for the fund - which will gather donations through the website findmadeleine.com, via cheques and through donations
at NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland branches - will be used to help search for Madeleine and to support the McCann family.
The McCanns have said they are unable to leave Portugal for the forseeable future. The fund also seeks to have her abductors
brought to justice. Any eventual excess from the fund would be dedicated to similar causes.
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Trademark application filed
The campaign to find Madeleine McCann has applied for British and European trademarks to protect its fundraising, internet
and print promotions. The applications, which were filed on May 18, seek to protect the name "Madeleine’s Fund: Leaving
No Stone Unturned". The European application also seeks protection for the provision of social services and advice for people
affected by missing children.
Source: The Times 14 August 2007 ( link)
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Fund refused charitable status and forced to pay tax
The fund will not benefit from gift aid, a form of tax relief that allows charities to claim from the government an additional
28p for every £1 they receive in donations. And tax will have to be paid on all interest accrued by the fund.
Last night the Treasury refused to intervene, insisting it was the preserve of HM Revenue & Customs to decide tax
liability.
Source: The Times 20 May 2007 (article below)
Online store created on website
Infohost site says: 'On the 20th of May it was decided that there should be some way for people to buy Look for Madeleine bands so
Infohost created an online store putting all the money into the campaign fund.'
Madeleine appeal fund set up by Irish friend
A dedicated bank account is set up in Ireland to allow people to assist through donations.
Funds raised through the Madeleine McCann Appeal account at the AIB bank are to be used to help fund the ongoing search
for Madeline, and to help defray the costs of legal representation for her distraught parents.
Source: Irish Independent 20 May 2007 (article below)
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Madeleine's Fund - The Directors |
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There are seven directors of the Fund. They are:
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Peter Hubner; a retired consultant, friend of the
McCanns, appointed 21 May 2007 - No. of Company appointments: 2 ;
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Brian Kennedy, a retired head teacher, Kate's Great
Uncle, appointed 16 May 2007 - No. of Company appointments: 1;
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John McCann, a medical representative, Gerry's brother,
appointed 16 May 2007, - No. of Company appointments: 1;
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Esther McVey, managing director
of a public relations & communications company, Kate's schoolfriend, appointed 20 June 2007, No. of Company appointments:
1; (Resigned) - replaced by:
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Edward Smethurst, commercial law specialist with wealthy McCann supporter Brian Kennedy's company, appointment
announced 09 January 2008
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Dr Doug Skehan, clinical director in cardiology at
Glenfield Hospital, Gerry's boss, appointed 16 May 2007 - No. of Company appointments: 2;
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Philip Tomlinson, a retired solicitor
and former coroner in Leicestershire, appointed 20 June 2007 - No. of Company appointments: 5; (Resigned) replaced by:
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Jon Corner, film producer and friend of the McCanns (wife is a longtime friend of Kate) and Godparent
to the twins, Amelie and Sean, appointment announced 09 January 2008. Reportedly drafted in to help Clarence Mitchell
look at offers they have received, such as making a docudrama or writing a book.
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Michael Linnett, a retired accountant, appointed
15 August 2007 - No. of Company appointments: 8
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Secretary: BWB Secretarial Limited, appointed: 15 May 2007 - No. of Company appointments: 26
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An unnamed director resigned on 31 May 2007
FAQ about Madeleine's Fund
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Esther McVey (Resigned)
Spokesperson for Find Madeleine Fund and former schoolfriend
of Kate McCann
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Brian Kennedy
Kate's Uncle
John McCann
Gerry's brother
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Companies House information
Recent Filing History
Documents filed since 15/05/2007
FILING DATE FORM DESCRIPTION
10/09/2007 288a DIRECTOR
APPOINTED
08/08/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
02/07/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
28/06/2007 MEM/ARTS MEMORANDUM
OF ASSOCIATIONARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
28/06/2007 RES01 ALTER MEMORANDUM 03/05/07
14/06/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
12/06/2007 225 ACC. REF. DATE SHORTENED FROM 31/05/08 TO 31/03/08
03/06/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
31/05/2007
288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
31/05/2007 288a DIRECTOR APPOINTED
31/05/2007 ELRES S386 DISP APP AUDS 16/05/07;S252 DISP
LAYING ACC 16/05/07 ;S366A DISP HOLDING AGM 16/05/07
31/05/2007 288b DIRECTOR RESIGNED
15/05/2007 NEWINC INCORPORATION
DOCUMENTSCERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATIONSTATEMENT OF DIRECTORS & REGISTERED OFFICEDECLARATION OF COMPLIANCEMEMORANDUM OF
ASSOCIATIONARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
(Note: Dates shown above are when amendments were filed with Companies House, not the date
the change actually ocurred)
Reports available from Companies House:
06-06-2008 Annual Return made up to 15-05-2008 - 4 pages(s) £18.00
12-02-2008 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 6 page(s) £18.00
12-02-2008 Notice
of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2 page(s) £18.00
12-02-2008 Notice of change of directors
or secretaries or in their particulars. - 1 page(s) £18.00
12-02-2008 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or
in their particulars. - 1 page(s) £18.00
14-09-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars.
- 2 page(s) £18.00
11-08-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2 page(s) £18.00
05-07-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2 page(s) £18.00
30-06-2007 Memorandum
and Articles. - 16 page(s) £18.00
30-06-2007 Resolution to adopt or alter Memorandum and Articles. - 1 page(s) £18.00
19-06-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2 page(s) £18.00
15-06-2007 Change
of accounting reference date. - 1 page(s) £18.00
06-06-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars.
- 1 page(s) £18.00
05-06-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2 page(s) £18.00
05-06-2007 Notice of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 2 page(s) £18.00
05-06-2007 Notice
of change of directors or secretaries or in their particulars. - 1 page(s) £18.00
05-06-2007 Elective resolution. - 1
page(s) £18.00
18-05-2007 New Incorporation documents. - 20 page(s) £18.00
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Two points worth noting from the Companies House website |
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Types of company (from Companies House website)
Private company limited by guarantee - members' liability is limited to the amount they have agreed to contribute to the
company's assets if it is wound up. This includes all RTM (Right to Manage) companies-, commonhold associations and those
community interest companies which are companies limited by guarantee.
What types of words and expressions are sensitive?
The following words imply specific objects or functions:
benevolent, foundation or fund - names that include any of these words will be refused
if they unjustifiably give the impression that the company has charitable status. If the company is limited by guarantee and
has a non-profit distribution clause in the memorandum of association, then the name will normally be approved.
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Note that the words 'Fund' and 'Foundation' are used in the memorandum of association (detailed in 'objects of Madeleine's
Fund' below). It is item 1.2 that allowed Madeleine's Fund to register as a private limited company as that clause indicates
that any profit will be used to pursue 'such purposes in similar cases'.
It is highly unlikely the average person donating to the Fund would have investigated the memorandum of association before
contributing. The use of the word 'Fund' in the title would clearly have led people to believe that they were donating
to a charitable fund to help in the search for Madeleine.
Judging by the remarks of Clarence Mitchell on 09 January 2008, it would appear highly unlikely that the company will
show any profit as he believes the money already donated to the Fund will 'dry up' by the summer of 2008.
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A reminder of the objects of Madeleine's Fund |
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1.1 The full objects of the Fund are:
1.1.1 To secure the safe return to her family of Madeleine McCann who was abducted in Praia da Luz, Portugal on Thursday
3rd May 2007;
1.1.2 To procure that Madeleine’s abduction is thoroughly investigated and that her abductors, as well as those who
played or play any part in assisting them, are identified and brought to justice; and
1.1.3 To provide support, including financial assistance, to Madeleine’s family.
1.2 If the above objects are fulfilled then the objects of the Foundation shall be to pursue such purposes in similar cases
arising in the United Kingdom, Portugal or elsewhere.
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