Charitable donations to an individual - help

[MrBen]

Over a year ago, one of my best mates and business associates Tony was involved in a horrendous cycling accident. The paramedics manage to save his life but he broke his back in 3 places and is now in a wheelchair (and serious pain) for life. He has a beautiful 3 year old daughter and an amazing wife but needs all kinds of help to get his life back on track.

Here's the problem - our business would like to raise funds for Tony but he's not a registered charity. And that creates all kinds of logistical issues e.g. we cant set up a Just Giving page for easy to make web donations so we have to collect hard cash, Tony effectively has to pay tax on any monies raised as it's classed as income, no Gift Aid applies etc etc I could go on.

So...does anyone know how we can raise funds and make legitimate, tax free, charitable contributions to an individual?

Any help hugely appreciated.

[Otta]

Is setting up a charity out of the question for some reason?

Or are there any charities out there who will let you do it through them, so they take the contributions, and make sure they go to him, perhaps for a small percentage which could go to their other work?

[MrBen]

Thanks Otta. It's a great suggestion. I came across Tree of Hope (http://www.treeofhope.org.uk/) which is a great charity working with a very worthy local cause. They're an umbrella that does just what you suggest and can pass funds onto a qualifying individual. But they only focus on kids. I've yet to find one that works with adults despite a fair bit of research - but there may be one out there?

[woodrot]

look into Setting up a trust for your mate, its for a vunerable beneficiary IIRC.You can also stick property or stuff in it if you meet the critera- you will need to speak to your acountant to make sure it is suitable, but there are benefts for your mate if its done properly. let me have a think and will get back. tks

[red devil]

MrB, this ex-footballer has been helped by a charitable trust set up in his name. Might be worth digging around for more info on it...http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/gary-parkinson-holds-twitter-qa-1862516

Good Luck!..