A CHARITY has issued a warning after multiple reports of fake collectors in Southend.

Youth Cancer Trust, a national charity that helps young people get through life after being diagnosed with the disease, claims a group of people are going around pubs and public spaces in Southend asking for donations to the charity despite not being affiliated with it.

Georgina Hillman, administration manager for the charity, based in Bournemouth, said the fake collectors have created clothes and collection boxes with the charity’s branding.

Ms Hillman has made it clear the charity does not make collections from pubs and only fundraises in supermarkets and public events when organisers and owners have given permission.

She said: “It’s absolutely disgusting. How anyone with a moral compass can wake up and think they want to do this is beyond belief.

“The latest we have heard is these people are going door to door and selling glowsticks as well.

“The Youth Cancer Trust never fundraise door to door, or in pubs.

“We collect in the Southend areas because we have a lot of young cancer patients who benefit from our services who live the area, and there are a lot of legitimate fundraisers who may collect in pubs, but it’s never something we have done.”

The charity has reported the fake collectors to Action Fraud, the Charity Commission, Companies House and the Fundraising Regulator.

Arnie Higgs, 24, a youth ambassador for the trust in Basildon, who has been through the trauma of a brain tumour, said the scammers devalue the work official fundraisers do.

He said: “I’m actually really upset and angry that there are these people who will go out, get money from people who have had a bit to drink in pubs, only to go home and keep it all for themselves. It is just disgusting and disgraceful.

“We work really hard going out and about to try and organise events and raise as much money as we can – the Youth Cancer Trust is solely reliant on donations – but I don’t want people to think as soon as they see where we’re from that I can’t be trusted and won’t donate.

“My struggles through my brain tumour mean I’m out of full time work, and to know that there are people out there who are willing to do this when we’re trying our hardest is just sickening.”

For information fraud crimes visit actionfraudalert.co.uk.