Fundraising drive pulls Article 25 back from the brink

An emergency fundraising drive to rescue Article 25 from the brink of insolvency has beaten its target.

More than £130,000 was raised in just over a week, securing the charity’s future.

Chairman Sunand Prasad said: “There has been a truly magnificent, and very moving, response to our approaches to architects, engineers and the wider industry to pledge funds to enable Article 25 to survive. I cannot thank them enough for their solidarity, support and generosity.”

The appeal was launched after the trustees discovered £200,000 that appeared to have gone missing from the accounts. The police were called in after multiple unapproved payments were made. A man was arrested on Monday.

A statement issued by the Metropolitan Police yesterday afternoon said: “A 47-year-old man was arrested in Bournemouth on July 13 on suspicion of theft. He remains in custody in an east London police station. Inquiries continue.”

Prasad said that following the discovery of the missing money, the charity would now be looking to tighten up its financial controls. “We will also take steps to ensure Article 25’s financial controls and procedures are the best in the charity sector.”

Article 25 – which is named after 25th article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which asserts the right to adequate shelter – was founded by former RIBA president Maxwell Hutchinson after he witnessed the devastating effects of the 2004 tsunami. Since then volunteers have built projects on every continent.

Further pledges can be made by calling the charity on 020 3197 9800.