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Is this man a Fraud?
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jailing's too soft for him
Pie him!
Here is a race report from sombodys blog
Well, I heard back from the charity. Apparently they've talked to him and he has a 'valid reason' for not completing the course. No they didn't tell me what the reason was. And I'm wondering if they realise this is not just a one off (I did say in my mail to them, but people don't always read things properly...)
Personally I have no problem with people who try to complete a course and fail for a valid reason. I have no problem with people doing part of an event if that's all they can manage and they don't try and make out they've done it all. But year after year pretending to do the whole thing is definitely out.
I agree he should stick to what he's good at and not pretend to be doing something he's not.
Thanks for the update Rowan.
I'm afraid I take a very dim view of their attitude to event rules. Hope the FLM organisers agree.
The only "valid reason" I can see for not completing the course is injury on the day - which means no finish and no medal. Whatever the reason is, if he can't complete the course and has no intention of completing the course he shouldn't be taking part at all.
Jake - No evidence because with open buckets and no audit trail there can't be. Needless to say, Tommy was out again at today's Edinburgh BUPA 10k, collecting cash from spectators. Pretending to run courses he doesn't complete properly when people give him money to run them for charity is arguably dishonest (plenty of evidence here) and does it stop there, I just don't know. We all rely on impressions of people and my own was I didn't trust him - raising £70,000 for charity over a year doesn't look quite so good if he's taking the same amount home for himself. Personally, I think charities should discourage this method of collecting (insist on sealed boxes or proper sponsorship forms).
I hope you're not ever allowed on a jury!
"£70,000 for charity over a year"
No, I think that was a local journo doing a quick interview at a local race, and not checking their facts.
The award he got (referenced in the same article) was for raising £60,000 over 20 years.
The evidence is circumstantial, for sure, but I'd be donating my money elsewhere.
I suppose an open bucket is far easier for people to put money into than a small handheld sealed container - more practical as well to carry one bucket vs who knows how many charity containers? (or do charities do bucket sized ones?). Also lets people see there's money in there already and that may encourage them to add more. Also, it allows more people to add money at the same time especially if a large number of people are present. To be honest, I've never knowingly seen anyone with sealed containers collecting this way during races - always a bucket with a large banner on side saying what they're collecting for.
If true, £60,000 over 20 years doesn't seem a lot - £3000 average a year and he's been in at least 3 different events this year already?
Oxy - I was called for jury service once though someone objected (can't think why when I've such a pleasant smile). Sincerely hope you're right in giving this guy benefit of any doubt. He is operating in a very systematic and calculated way and unfortunately I suspect things may not be what they seem. Given the no of events he is attending and the way he milks the crowds £3000 a year sounds a lot less than I'd expect; if it is a fraud it's a damn clever one too because nearly impossible to prove.
I'm not trying to be picky here RMcD, but just to clarify, there is NO evidence to suggest any criminal behaviour whatsoever other than the fact you dont like the look of him!
Its fine that you dont want to put money into his bucket, but to suggest that a man dressed as a clown could be a crook, on the basis of his apperance, really is beyond parody.
Quite right Oxy though this was based on a lot of things and not the fact he was dressed as a clown. If truth and justice are really absolute values you can defend him at the pearly gates - I remain sceptical and won't be putting any cash in Tommy's bucket.
Have you always read the Daily Mail?
Rowan, we know that his "valid reason for not completing the course" was that he took a short cut.
PIE HIM
It's not victimless: he's no better than Jade Goody.
And unless you can back up these allegations against the clown - maybe this thread should be pulled ? You would have to prove he is dishonest with the money - and you cant do that ? This must be libel surely ? Then again i am no lawyer !
Just be grateful he doesnt have links to a well known race organiser !
Jade Goody raised money for a children's charity - NSPCC I think.
After the FLM fiasco people were signing in to her justgiving site, donating and slagging her off at the same time.
I don't think anybody should be making accusations about what this man does with the money. The issue is whether he cheats in races - which his charity has admitted he does.