Inquiry opened into finances of Devon Freewheelers charity
- Published
Devon Freewheelers was set up to transport blood, medical equipment and samples for the NHS
The Charity Commission has opened an inquiry into the finances and management of Devon Freewheelers.
The service was set up to transport blood, medical equipment and samples for the NHS in Devon using motorbikes ridden by volunteers.
The regulator said inconsistencies were found in the charity's accounts.
The Honiton-based charity said all questions had been answered with honesty and it was confident an inquiry would be "completed favourably".
The scope of the enquiry may be extended if additional regulatory issues are uncovered
The charity failed to submit its annual accounting information for the financial years ending 2020 and 2021.
When the overdue accounts were submitted, the regulator said a number of transactions and potential irregularities were identified when compared with the charity's bank statements.
Concerns were also raised about conflicts of interest and whether the charity had been operating in line with its aims.
The inquiry is to examine if there has been any misconduct, breaches of trust or unauthorised personal benefit by trustees.
It is also looking at whether trustees have been acting in accordance with their legal duties.
The scope of the enquiry may be extended if more regulatory issues were uncovered, the commission said.
Devon Freewheelers said it wanted to "reassure the general public we are fully co-operating with the Charity Commission's inquiry".
"We are all immensely proud of the service we provide free of charge to the NHS and community, so we would like to thank everyone for all their support now and in the future," it said.
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