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Original poster

To wonder why there has STILL been no donation?

999 replies

kewtogetin · 29/03/2015 20:05

This has probably been done, I know there was a long running thread about this very subject but I can't find it?
So, several months on I see Dax's parents have still not made the promised donation to Ronald McDonald hospice. On March 2nd they updated the Facebook page to say they works be making the donation 'very soon', but still nothing.
Am I the only one thinking they have no intention of donating any money out of the tens of thousands donated to them? That in fact they intend to keep it all and deny the very charity that provided them with so much support in the early weeks of their Childs life?
In fact, I don't think im the only one judging by the comments on the Facebook page.
I think they're hoping it will blow over and if they keep quiet long enough people will forget.

OP posts:
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Original poster
kewtogetin · 12/04/2015 08:17

I have a 'friend' who works for an international news agency, they have offices in London and ironically New York, I'm wondering, in light of the 'lying about donating' twist in this tale whether they might now be interested in pursuing this story? Things just got a whole lot more newsworthy.....

OP posts:
HouseBot · 12/04/2015 08:26

I would say so - not least because there is a wider story to be told about the nature (risks) of fundraising via the Internet.

shewept · 12/04/2015 08:29

Surely now they have said that they have, and have not, now someone will be interested. Especially since they said there would be confirmation. Surely its not that hard to see how much they donated. I thought charities published their donations. There should be one yesterday (give or take a few days) that is for a lot of money. Do people regularly donate 20k+ to charities. Surely there won't be that many?

fluffymouse · 12/04/2015 08:37

Kew I really do hope the media pick up on this.

RebootYourEngine · 12/04/2015 08:57

What, so they have apparently donated but arent going to say how much? Dont they know that its makes things all the more dodgy. People wont stop until they find the truth because a charity has been abused.

TheFairyCaravan · 12/04/2015 09:04

This doesn't surprise me in the slightest, but it makes me so angry. They are absolute scum. Lying, thieving, scum. They will have a lot of explaining to do to Dax when he Googles later in life.

Horrible, horrible people. After everything RMH did for them and they couldn't keep to their word.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/04/2015 09:09

Why would they delete their own post saying they weren't going to disclose the size of the donation? Confused

I dont understand why they haven't just pulled the page either way...

LokiBear · 12/04/2015 09:11

I could swallow this if they were honest. If they'd said from the outset that the money was to give a new family who had been through a traumatic time a boost. To help with bills and to give them a bit of financial support whilst they were over there. Fine. I don't begrudge people asking for help but if they'd been honest, people could have made a more informed decision. They would know they were paying someone's rent or funding the decorating of the nursery. But, to be told that the money was being used to pay for medical care, then when it wasn't needed would be used to help with a few costs and the remainder donated, then....nothing. Just awful. The deception makes this very wrong. It's really sad because at the heart of this story is an innocent baby. It makes me wary of other charities and I hate that. The one positive to this horrible story is that I never knew what an amazing charity the rmdh is. My school does a charity fundraising event every year and I've asked to put them on the list.

SagaNorensLeatherTrousers · 12/04/2015 09:21

I think they've probably justified it all to themselves. They probably think by saying "the excess will go to RMH" covers them, even if by "excess" they mean £3. Hmm I think they've convinced themselves that they are entitled to all the extra money thrown at them.

HairyPotter · 12/04/2015 09:23

After making such positive comments, it would be such a shame if they have gone back on their word. RMH NY could do so much for other families with the 30k that was raised.

To wonder why there has STILL been no donation?
SagaNorensLeatherTrousers · 12/04/2015 09:35

I also don't understand why RMH wouldn't be interested in clearing this up. Their name has been attached to this ordeal which is starting to stink more and more. If I ran a charity I would not be ok with people using my charity's name in order to garner trust and possibly more donations that ultimately will not be going to THE CHARITY. Otherwise, anyone could do it, right? I could have a breast cancer scare tomorrow, start a fund page saying I "may" need help covering bills and that the excess will go to Macmillan or something, and then give Macmillan the bare minimum whilst I've used their name to boost my campaign. I know it's slightly different as RMH helped them in their time of need but if anything, that makes them less entitled to claim even more, right?

ButchCassidy · 12/04/2015 09:39

This is disgusting.
Surely now when they are obviously lying it has to be classed as fraud .

RoseWithAThorn · 12/04/2015 09:48

I'm disgusted in this couple. The money raised would have meant so much to RMH and the people that are helped by them. Most people would fundraise for a charity that has helped them to 'repay' the services that were given to them. I wonder if they know this thread exists? Wouldn't it be interesting if they were to agree to a MN question and answer session?

leccybill · 12/04/2015 09:49

I've followed this from the start and I'm angry too.
Now that they are home, settled and all fit and well - surely thoughts would turn to 'giving back' to the charity who helped in their hour of need? Most people have decent enough morals to do that surely.

Dear friends of mine stayed in a RMDH at Alder Hey hospital for a couple of weeks while their newborn received lifesaving care. They were a long way from home. We went there a few times for company and to take them food. I cannot emphasise what a vital and much-needed thing it is at a time of such worry.
We've all done a lot of fundraising since - as any grateful parent would.

Strictly1 · 12/04/2015 09:53

What sort of parent takes advantage of what was an awful situation? To not pass on the money raised is shameful.

OldFarticus · 12/04/2015 10:41

Saga I actually think that the only sensible thing RMH can do is maintain a dignified silence over this. If the charity criticises the couple, the "hunz" brigade will only accuse them of greed, of being mean to a couple with a premature baybee, and RMH will be associated with negative publicity even though it's obviously not them that deserve it. They will not want to give the impression that a donation is expected iykwim.

I have a couple of journo friends and I am going to see whether there is any interest in taking up this story. Like others, I find it surprising that nobody has so far done so.

mrssmith79 · 12/04/2015 10:56

I'm not hugely personally invested in this but am following with interest. kewtogetin and oldfarticus , I'd suggest you screengrab the fb comments pages before Tricky gets happy with the delete button if you're thinking of getting the press involved.

soverylucky · 12/04/2015 10:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SagaNorensLeatherTrousers · 12/04/2015 10:58

I see what you mean, Old. What a strange situation to be in, for RMH I mean.

SagaNorensLeatherTrousers · 12/04/2015 11:02

Offering refunds publicly and then berating and blocking the people that ask for them isn't wrong? Have they given back one penny in refunds to those who have asked? I am sure people who thought they were donating to cover the huge medical bill were a bit surprised when there turned out to not be a huge medical bill, surely.

SagaNorensLeatherTrousers · 12/04/2015 11:06

...and they weren't vague about what they needed to buy. They thought they might have a huge medical bill. They didn't. They thought they may need a fridge. They didn't. They thought they may need a microwave. They didn't. They thought they needed a £2K breast pump. They didn't. They've been given free accommodation, meals, flights, gifts for Dax, gifts for themselves, etc. etc. etc. and yet still "needed" more.

soverylucky · 12/04/2015 11:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RoseWithAThorn · 12/04/2015 11:10

Perhaps BBC 5 should do another interview now that they've donated?

To wonder why there has STILL been no donation?
OldFarticus · 12/04/2015 11:16

I love the recent FB posts from MN'ers btw Smile

Surely the average 5 year old would find that "donation" page a bit fishy? I am in a rare state of Shock !

RebootYourEngine · 12/04/2015 11:32

Please could everyone who knows a journalist contact them. The truth needs to be told so that everyone can see what scum these people are & also the dangers of donating money to 'good' causes.

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