Supermodel Naomi Campbell banned as charity trustee on day she was handed medal in Paris
Supermodel Naomi Campbell was banned as a charity trustee on Thursday after a watchdog found a series of failings at her organisation Fashion for Relief.
The Charity Commission found there had been serious mismanagement of funds, including using charity money to pay for a suite in a five-star hotel in France during the Cannes Film Festival.
The regulator found the £7,800 ($15,000) cost for three nights for Campbell was unreasonable, and other trustees and charity volunteers stayed in cheaper accommodation.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The findings follow revelations by The Mail on Sunday that the charity spent more than $3.13 million on a glittering fundraising gala but gave just $10,000 to good causes over a 15-month period.
The regulator found that between April 2016 and July 2022, only 8.5 percent of the charity’s overall expenditure was on charitable grants.
Campbell, 54 – who broke down in tears as she received the medal of “Chevalier de l’Ordres des Arts et des Lettres” in Paris last night – founded Fashion for Relief By Vanessa Allen in 2005 and said she had been inspired by South African leader Nelson Mandela.
But concerns were raised in 2021 about how much money it was giving to people in need and the Mayor’s Fund for London lodged an official complaint, saying it was owed $100,000 following a fundraising event.
It filed a “serious incident” report with the Charity Commission and the watchdog launched an inquiry.
In its investigation report it found the charity failed to manage partnerships with the Mayor’s Fund, and with Save the Children.
Campbell was disqualified for five years.
