Back-up plan was crucial at charity

A SMALL animal rights charity had plenty of funds and strong supporter goodwill, but when the woman treasurer running it for over two decades died, without organising an authorised backup or successor who could be contacted, it sunk into deadlock.

- MAISHA FROST

Closing it and its charity status bank account soon became a fraught affair.

Current regulations and financial protections on one side clashed with a relative trying to make sure the monies benefitted other charities and no further donations were made.

But security is much tighter these days and although Sally, daughter of treasurer Janet, had seen all the accounts' details, without meeting the authorisation required she was powerless.