WOULD-BE donors are being advised not to send money to Children in Need on Friday.

An independent charity ratings service claims that donations to the BBC appeal, symbolised by the bear Pudsey, will incur two sets of administration charges. Intelligent Giving accused the Royal Opera House and Sue Ryder Care of “appalling levels of transparency”.

It said that its survey of the annual reports of 530 charities showed that bigger institutions were often lazy, producing poor annual reports and giving the public little idea how their money was spent. It also singled out Muslim Aid, which funds disaster projects abroad, and Manchester Kids for producing dismal annual reports.

Although Children in Need scored highly in transparency and providing information to the public, donors were paying for two sets of administration costs — one for Children in Need and another for the charities who eventually got the money, it said.

Donors also had no say where their cash ended up.

Children in Need said that the public knew cash would go to the causes that deserved it most. “We are a grantmaker which gives us the flexibilty to put the money where the need is greatest. Trust is inherent in the BBC Children in Need brand and people know we will do the responsible thing,” a spokeswoman said.

Dave Pritchford, of Intelligent Giving, said that charities had to take their annual reports more seriously if they wanted to attract more donors. “We have looked for negatives and have found laziness and incompetence in certain bigger organisations that should know better,” he said.

Describing Sue Ryder Care’s annual report as diabolical, Mr Pritchford said: “If they struggle to produce something this straightforward, it calls into question other aspects of their operation including how diligent they are.” He added: “In light of their size and profile, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Manchester Kids and Muslim Aid should all have done a lot better.”

Sue Ryder Care said last night that it complied fully with Charity Commission guidelines, adding: “Each year the charity files a fully audited annual report and accounts, complete with full financial details, with the Charity Commission.”Saif Ahmed, of Muslim Aid, said: “We are very transparent and donors can see exactly how their money was spent, but I must admit this is the first time we have published an annual report for the general public, so we are keen to improve.”

The Royal Opera House said that it had other documents besides the annual report that gave the full story. Both its annual review and performance review were available on the website.Manchester Kids was unavailable for comment.

THE BEST
Cancer Research UK
The National Trust
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Royal Horticultural Society
British Red Cross

THE WORST
Sue Ryder Care
Royal Opera House
Manchester Kids
Muslim Aid

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Donor organ allowed child’s own heart to heal
• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating