Veterans' charity caught in riddle as offices close

The Our Local Heroes Foundation, based at Pearson House, Station Road, Bamber Bridge, was rapped by a national watchdog earlier this year for failing to give enough cash in grants to former soldiers.

Now the front door of the premises in Pearson House bears a bailiff’s notice issued on behalf of the charity stating that the locks have been changed.

The notice is addressed to Remvox and Premier Property Maintenance on behalf of Our Local Heroes Foundation.

In March, the Charity Commission said it had inspected the charity and discovered a “very low level of charitable expenditure”, “substantial spending outside the charity’s objects” and “an insufficient focus on providing grants to beneficiaries”.

The Commission was called in after complaints that the public was being misled and were not being properly informed that only 20​ per cent of the funds raised went to the charity.​

Eighty per cent was paid out in costs. The commission found no evidence of fraud or theft in the charity.

Our Local Heroes Foundation director Trevor Galley stressed today the charity was continuing as normal.

He would not comment further.

One veteran said on a social media website: “Was looking forward to Volunteering at Our Local Heroes today, but I have just seen the landlord’s notice to terminate the charity’s lease of their offices at Pearson House.”

According to latest records, the registered address of Our Local Heroes Foundation is in Euxton, near Chorley.