Cancer charity reports Doncaster sticker seller to police over £30,000 'fraud'

A Doncaster sticker salesman has been reported to police for fraud by one of the UK’s leading charities.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Phillip Hartley, who sells stickers on the streets claiming that a percentage goes to charity, has been reported to police by Cancer Research UK and told to stop all fundraising activity after ‘discrepancies’ emerged between the amount of money he publicly claims to have raised and the amount received by the charity.

In Facebook posts, Hartley of Christ Church Road, Doncaster claimed to have raised £30,000 for Cancer Reseach and says he has raised £300,000 for various charities over the last five years – a figure which equates to roughly £165 a day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But it is understood that the figure he has actually raised is nearer to just £1,500 – sparking charity bosses to investigate.

Phillip Hartley has been reported to the police by Cancer Research UK.Phillip Hartley has been reported to the police by Cancer Research UK.
Phillip Hartley has been reported to the police by Cancer Research UK.

Martin McGlown, spokesman for Cancer Research UK, said: “Following information received, we have looked into Mr Hartley’s fundraising activities and have found discrepancies between the amount of money he publicly claims to have raised and sums received by the charity.

“We have asked Mr Hartley to cease all fundraising activity for Cancer Research UK with immediate effect and we have reported the matter to the police via Action Fraud.

“The charity relies on the generosity of supporters and volunteers to continue its life-saving research into the causes and treatment of cancer and it’s vital that members of the public have trust in those who raise money on our behalf.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We ask anyone wishing to fundraise for Cancer Research UK to register through our website so that we can offer whatever support they might need, such as official collecting goblets and letters of authority."

Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime where people can report scams which are then picked up by police.

Hartley, who also uses the name Phillip L’Estrange and brands himself the ‘Love Campaigner’ has previously shared videos of himself in a Cancer Research t-shirt and with a collecting bucket with the charity's logo.

In a Facebook post, Hartley, who is also a bare knuckle boxer, wrote: “I have raised nearly £300k for great causes in the past five years. I’ve had five fights for Cancer Research and raised around £30,000 for the cause.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I’ve not just raised money for Cancer Research, I’ve bled for them.”

According to his social media, the 37-year-old makes a living selling stickers for £1 on the streets of Doncaster and other local towns and cities, telling buyers that 20% of each sale goes to charity.

The Free Press attempted to contact Mr Hartley for a response.

A reply to a message sent to Nourishing The Needy Doncaster, one of the Facebook charity pages he runs, said: “Thanks for messaging us. We'll get back to you as soon as we can. Unless your (sic) a troll. If your (sic) a troll you need serious help n we pray you seek it xx.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He later posted a 21 minute video on YouTube entitled “Bully’s, LIERS, government pay offs and some Burke" addressing the issue.

He said: "Some crank on a fake profile has messaged me,” he said. “That’s all I’m mentioning about that.”

"I donate 20% of my transactions to charity. These stickers are international. I send them via air mail to Canada. 20% of every single sticker purchase goes to charity.

"It doesn’t have to, a lot of people say ‘I don’t want the money going to charity, they just want to buy my stickers.

"I’m not a liar, I don’t lie and make things up.”

Anyone with concerns about fundraising activity being undertaken for Cancer Research UK should email [email protected] or phone 0300 123 1022.