Gerry plays golf while the furor of the "mortgage repayments" continues.?

Question

So the McFraudsters have been forced to admit that they have been using the Madeleine fund to pay their mortgage and that they have up to now spent 1/3 on "living expenses". While the furor continues Gerry pops off to enjoy a few rounds of golf, an expensive hobby also being paid for by the Madeleine fund as they have no "income". My question is How on earth could they spend 1/3 of a million pounds sterling on "living expenses" in less than 6 months. Most people don't spend that kind of money in a lifetime. Do they eat off gold plates or what? How can it be justifed to spend that kind of money in such a short space of time. It doesn't add up. Apart from it being morally and ethically OBSCENE. The fund should be frozen sooner rather than later.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/23617/McCanns-use-fund-to-pay-mortgage

Answer 1

Like it or not Gerry McCann is without doubt presumptuous and arrogant and in my view that is regardless of whether or not he is guilty of ANYTHING...and if spending money on playing golf having not been able to meet their mortgage payments is infact true, then the McCann's have to accept the criticism...that criticism does not make you Pro or Anti....just moral...and especially when the British Public and others have given so much in terms of the McCann fund!
When two people have studied and achieved such professional careers allowing them what should be a comfortable life style and fairly so, then they should understand the publics fury at hearing the FACTS about the way they are spending the Fund Money....as it was by my understanding NOTintended for these kind of personal expenses !
If they had stayed in Portugal indefinitely, then my views would have been slightly more understanding!
I understand if they choose not to go back to work just yet..that is fully understandable and especially in Kate's case...and i also understand that they have to live somehow if not receiving an income.....but i cannot imagine ANY mortgage lender even considering either repossession of their home under these circumstances....or hounding them for late payments..surely they know that with their professional status would allow them at some point in the future to catch up with this!
However..there is also the argument that IF this was indeed your child...i feel most of us would without hesitation at least consider the option of selling a house and take a step down the ladder...if for no other reason but to allow us to afford to live while the search for Maddie either continue or is exhausted !
I just feel that the McCann's are not helping themselves where the media are concerned.....and i do not know who exactly is advising them..but i think they need to take a long look at their situation and at least try and see this through the eyes of the public...and ask why public support for them appears to be falling rapidly!
I think Gerry McCann is the biggest thorn in the side when it comes to public opinion...and whether, or whoever likes it or not....the Public veiw and support can make a huge difference to this case..and Im sorry, but Playing Golf then admitting to funds being used for personal expenses will not do them ANY favours!

Answer 2

If you actually gave to the fund, and you're now unhappy about the way it's being used, then I think you have a right to voice your concerns. If you didn't contribute to the fund, then it's really no skin off your nose, and frankly no concern of yours as the McCann’s are not spending “your” money.

That said, your question seems to raise legitimate concerns about the way in which the fund was set up, and the wording of its 'mission statement', and this does deserve further scrutiny.

Firstly, the fund seems to have been set up as a limited company rather than as a charity because it was concerned with the single, very specific and narrowly-focused issue of publicising the search for Maddie and, because of this, it did not fall within the Charity Commission's criteria for registration as a charity because there was no element of service to the wider community. Thus the fund appears to have been set up quite correctly as a limited company because of the Charity Commission's rules, rather than any sinister or devious intent on the part of the McCanns.

This brings us to the more controversial and emotive issue of Kate and Gerry’s 'living expenses', and whether subbing their mortgage falls within the fund’s terms of reference. The simple fact is that the 'mission statement' is so vaguely worded that it allows practically any personal use of the fund if such expenditure can be shown as 'living expenses' which support Kate and Gerry during the ongoing search for their missing child. The only control over this lies with the Directors and Trustees, whose relationship is arguably a little self-interested and somewhat incestuous.

However, ‘Team McCann’ do not seem to be doing anything illegal in their use of the fund, although many of us do find it a little distasteful to see these two professionals earning a reported 75,000 (him) and 45,000 (her) a year allegedly ‘raiding’ the fund to cover their mortgage repayments, when this should perhaps be coming from their own personal savings (and on their combined salaries, it would be reasonable to expect them to have some savings to fall back on, rather than subsidising their private lives from public donations).

So I guess you’ll just have get over it Trancebabe, as once the cash is in Kate and Gerry’s coffers, the broad terms of reference pretty much allow them to do whatever they like with the money (irrespective of donors’ intentions) as it’s effectively “their” money now, and there ain’t a damn thing anyone can do about it.

Still, you’d think Mr & Mrs McCann's otherwise slick public relations people would have advised them to be a bit more savvy on the presentation side of things, wouldn’t you? Life does go on, and Gerry does have to pick up the pieces and enjoy some r&r along the way, but really....???

Answer 3

This doesn't surprise me in the slightest. In fact I've been waiting for this to happen!

If the repayments are about £1000 a year, according to that article, and £1m in a basic account would gain around £2000 a month interest how have they used 1/3rd of the money?

I don't think they should be touching it for their own gain at all but it does, and always has, stated that they would within the aims of the 'fund'. -

1.1.3 To provide support, including financial assistance, to Madeleine’s family.

And, seeing as it is a Ltd Co, with no charitable status and therefore no accountability to those that donated to it, there is little chance of it being 'frozen'.

Quite simply it is their money, given to them as a Ltd Company, to do with as they please. The only obligation they are under is a moral one and given the morals these lot have presented I doubt that is a very big problem for them.

As outragous as it is and as morally wrong as it might be I wasn't daft enough to part with my hard earned cash and give it to a Limited Comapany therefore I have no reason to concern myself with what they do with it.

Answer 4

I think whatever the McCann's do in their own time is nothing to do with us. They have had a nightmare time recently due to their daughters disappearance and I think they should be left alone now to get on with their lives. The amount spend from the Maddie fund will include all their flying about, people to look after the twins, accommodation in both Portugal and England. It is time to leave them alone so that they can try and rebuild their lives for themselves and their twins as they cannot grieve forever.

Answer 5

I for one am so glad I never donated to the fund,the whole issue makes me sicker by the day.Im sure there is going to be alot of people wanting their money back and won't get it.

Answer 6

What are they supposed to do for the rest of their lives? live in a bloody monastry!! They have to try to live as normal a life as they can for their other two kids and for their sanity. If all you people whoget off on slagging them off put a little bit of that energy into somthing positive then your lives might have some meaning to them. GET A LIFE fors Gods sake.

Answer 7

The McCann case has always been "Fishy " from the start.
Investigations, extensive travel, fund-raising, PR spin, involvement of Tycoons, other Political & High-standing
dignitaries.
Another scam, misappropriation of the fund for mortgage
purposes, can only lead one to suspect , mistrust.& deceipt.
Their insensitivity,& wisdom, together with previous actions
require complete scrutinisation.
It seems , McCanns were quick & clever enough set up the fund. But , never had the inclination to pay for a simple holiday baby-sitting service.....?
Yes, the fund should be frozen, but can you honestly see that happening..?

Answer 8

the mass hatred these despicable people have on to words them is all of their own creating.
They have destroyed the life of their own daughter and they have put a black spot on all missing children I would not expect to see any sign of humanity from the maccanns but I would have thought that some one in authority would have stepped in and put an enf to the to this circus.

Answer 9

I agree the Madeleine Fund should be frozen,They should use the money from the fighting fund to pay of their mortgage.

Answer 10

The McScams - a disgusting self-obsessed pair. They have taken everyone who donated in good-faith for a ride . . . Did you see G McScams 7-series BMW in the drive of their detached house, alongside her people carrier. They make me sick!