Is it normal and just for a fund to be set up for a missing child?

Question

Ican under stand reward money being offered, or even a free place to stay while the investigition is ongoing, but what purpose does a fund serve, will it help solve this case

hi louloubelle....thats not true, they have not been to malta where she was supposed to be spotted, and they did not help in a search anywhere else they went either,so is travelling the world using funds, going to yeild any results.

Anniem ...read sammies answer, i was not aware of this either thats why i asked this question .. thanks sammie

RM thanks for the link, and yes all extra monies were donated to clubs and charities, not a limited fund for the families

Answer 1

Every time a high profile disaster occurs in which ordinary people are caught up, you get a number of sympathetic people who, feeling that they want to do something, send money to help in some way because it's the only thing in their power.

The McCanns situation is just another such case where money was sent and had to be handled appropriately. They have not, as presumably they could have done, just paid it into their private accounts but have set up a fund - I have heard that they wished to establish it as a charity but that the objectives (which can be read on the findmadeleine.com website) meant that it did not qualify. It is my assumption that the focus on one individual (Madeleine) would preclude charitable status being applied.

Nevertheless, the fund has clearly stated objectives and as far as I know there is at least some requirement for accounts to be filed. I reproduce this from a business advice website (link below) :-

"Are there requirements for annual audited account? Filed at the Public Registry and/or with the tax authorities
Yes, however, certain small and medium sized companies can file modified accounts. Directors have to prepare report with annual account. Accounts have to be filed with tax authorities and sent to the Register. Small companies may submit a shortened balance sheet and abbreviated related notes, if they do not exceed two of the following conditions:

» Turnover not exceeding £2,800,000
» Balance sheet total not exceeding £1,400,000
» Average number of employees not exceeding 50 "

Anyone who chooses to donate has no excuse for being ill-informed about the nature of the fund as it's status and objectives are clearly stated.

I think it quite plausible that the McCanns could see that funds donated could open up possibilities for them to contribute directly to the efforts to find Madeleine in a way that their private resources just couldn't match. It can pay for posters and balloons, for the manufacture of wristbands, for people's time to handle some of the aspects of the campaign that are outside the McCanns expertise. There are all sorts of things it might do now or later. I'm not surprised that they have chosen this route when the opportunity presented itself.

Don't forget that the McCanns are lucky enough to have a large family and network of friends who are helping them so it's wrong to assume that every decision or choice originates from Mr & Mrs McCann personally.

Answer 2

I was curious about that too, so I went looking a while ago, and what I found seems to suggest there have been funds set up - the most notable being the Soham Fund (see link). This, like all the others I found, was NOT set up and administered by the parents of the missing child, but was set up independently. Of most, if not all of the funds I found (very few), most of the money was given to charities to help find other missing children, and a percentage was given to the parents - £18,000 to each of the families in Soham, of the £100,000 raised.
IF the McCanns do that - hand over all the money to charity except for a small amount, then I will be very happy that the money was in fact raised for a good cause.
Unfortunately the big difference in this case, is that it's a limited company, they have no obligation to hand over anything, and the company is set up in such a way that they may never do that.

Answer 3

no one else who has had a child abducted has set one up,they are using the whole thing for there own gain,to busy flying round to go to the place where they really should have gone Malta,but then why go they should come back home get done by social services and leave it up to the police to find her,as others have to do,they are doing nothing of value over there only spending the fund money,and practising there jogging,still neglecting the other 2 children they still have

Answer 4

well I agree with the person who bought up Ben Needham - he never got any of this and his family? Nowhere near the support (and hence I suppose none of the abuse? But then as far as I am aware they didn't do anything wrong) This must be so difficult for his mother who has maintained her dignity over the years. It makes me wonder if and when the McCanns will ever be able to move on? At what point does one give up looking and start greiving for a lost child?

Answer 5

I understand it is normality for a reward ... the fund came about as Joe public felt touched by the plight of Maddie and donated money to ease their feelings of helplessness ....

What startles me is the cold calculated way this fund has been hijacked ie it is now off shore and the fund does not have to explained in what ways it is being used .

No one is held accountable for any transactions and what is even more shocking is the importance placed on it in the early days when daddy dearest jetted to the UK to ensure the legalities of it and its usage

Answer 6

I know that the Hornbeck foundation was set up long after Shawn Hornbeck went missing but it was not just for him but to help with all missing children. I dont think in the 4 years he was missing it every accumalated the funds this one has however and you knew exactly what the money was used for if you wrote, called, or emailed to inquire about it. The foundation is still running even though he was found and he had said himself he wanted to be a part of it as to help find other kids he could relate to.

Answer 7

Well, that's the question isn't it? I think everyone would like an answer to that one. In similar circumstances people set up charities, don't they? It's strange that this is a registered company....

Oh, because you've asked an open-minded intelligent question that relates to the sainted McCanns, be prepared for the "You're jealous of them" and "you're all part of a hate campaign" crap. So much for the right to have an opinion that differs from the majority.....

Answer 8

I can't say this is the first 'missing child' incident I've been debating on but, either way why set it us as a 'limited company', hire a group of attorneys, PR person, campaign manager, just seems all weird.

Answer 9

i think the fund has been set up so the mccanns can travel to help find maddie , ive read also the money will go towards helping find other missing children , and nobody is calling the mcanns saints by all means , they are just simply have a better understanding to people who suffer and are more wiiling to forgive then people who are bitter individuals . the mcanns shouldnt of left their children alone but hate and critisising is a waste of energy , i hope all the people who are nasty about the canns never have to go through the pain of losing a child

Answer 10

normal and just have nothing to do with it, people give their money by choice, in my opinion it is just a pity that more people don't give more often to worthy causes around the world!

let's hope that when their search is done, the remains of the money is channelled into a worthwhile charity or fund...