London, Apr 3: A charity set up by cricket legend Dickie Bird is being probed for racking up huge bills, but giving next to nothing to disadvantaged youngsters it was supposed to help.
The ex-umpire set up ‘The Dickie Bird Foundation’ in 2004 but it has handed out just 7,500 pounds from 130,000 pounds raised.
A total of 120,000 pounds went on running costs and lawyers are trying to retrieve 50,000 pounds from an ex-chief executive.
Bird said that he was certain the problems would be "satisfactorily resolved".
The patrons include former Prime Minister John Major, retired chat-show host Sir Michael Parkinson and ex-England football manager Sir Bobby Robson.
But checks on accounts lodged with the Charity Commission have found it raised 130,000 pounds in three years, but gave away only 7,907 pounds.
According to the Foundation’s figures 120,000 pounds went on running costs, including 62,368 pounds on organising fundraising events. It spent 13,500 pounds on consultants and more than 20,000 pounds on marketing.
The Dickie Bird Foundation was set up to help deprived youngsters with a talent for sport.
Among those have benefited from its financial backing is Azeem Rafiq, the captain of the England under-16s cricket team. (ANI)
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