Protesters Allege Misuse of Donated Funds at RAF Scampton
Protesters lodged outside RAF Scampton are up in arms following the mystifying disappearance of a whopping £2,000 in donated funds.
Campsite in Opposition to Asylum Processing Centre
Campaigners have been camping outside the historical airbase, objecting to the Home Office's plans to convert the site into a processing centre for up to 2,000 asylum seekers. In anticipation of the arrival of asylum seekers, locals set up a 24/7 camp at the airbase, which is renowned for being the base of the Dambusters.
In due course, additional camps were erected outside Gate 6 and between Gates 3 and 4 to maintain a constant vigil.
GoFundMe Campaign by NSD
The right-wing National Support Detachment group (NSD) initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at garnering essential resources for the campsites. The campaign raised an impressive £2,330, but campaigners fear a member of the fund-raising team may have deviated with the funds.
Local Protesters React to Missing Funds
One local protester, a familiar face at the airbase protests, noted her distress. She said, “I’m really angry. These people swooped in and claimed to take charge of the camp, although they are never here. Now, they have robbed people of nearly £2.5k. We started this as a local protest against the Home Office. I can’t help but think this might have been a mere ploy to wring money out of ordinary people.”
An anonymous protester also shared their suspicion, stating “The whole thing stinks." They later called upon Alek Yerbury, the NSD leader, to provide an explanation for the missing funds.
New Fundraising Initiative
Thomas Winter, 61, a local campaigner, has initiated a new GoFundMe campaign in response to the missing fund allegations. He promised transparency, saying, “We need stuff for the camp. The missing money was supposed to be for the camp. I’m perfectly honest and I’ve got a clean record. Every single penny donated will be accounted for and we will get receipts. It’s really upsetting, I can’t stand thieves. That money has just gone down the drain."
Response from NSD Leader
When confronted, NSD leader Alek Yerbury hinted at an individual's fraudulent act and claimed it had been reported to the authorities. He explained, “As I have had nothing to do with the administration of any of the fundraisers or finances, I am not in full possession of the facts at this point."