Positive Lives
Positive Lives was an HIV charity set up by David Bridle and Kelvin Sollis, owners of Chronos Publishing, in 1996. Its stated aims were to run a helpline, produce information videos, provide housing and promote safer sex, and to manage Positive Times magazine.
Outcast investigation
In May 2000, Outcast magazine reported that Positive Lives had "done no charitable work whatsoever" and alleged that all money raised by the charity had "mysteriously disappeared".[1] Bridle and Sollis threatened to sue the magazine, its printer, its website host and others. Libel expert David Price acted for Outcast pro bono and successfully defended the magazine from all claims.
Charity Commission inquiry
The Charity Commission investigated the allegations and concluded:[2]
- The Commission found little evidence that any charitable activity had ever been undertaken by Positive Lives.
- The accounts produced for Positive Lives did not show a true and fair view of the charity's activities.
- The charity's accounts suggest that The Pink Paper donated £55,300 to the charity but the reality is that little or no money changed hands.
- The Commission found that the trustees of Positive Lives failed in even the most basic duties that would be expected of them.
Positive Lives (charity number 1057995)[3] was shut down by the Commission. Bridle and Sollis sold The Pink Paper shortly after.
References
- ↑ Outcast, May 2000. The article triggered a Charity Commission investigation.
- ↑ Charity Commission statutory inquiry into Positive Lives, charity number 1057995 (2000). Historical reports are held by The National Archives; a summary was previously available at posh-uk.org.uk (no longer online).
- ↑ Charity Commission register entry for Positive Lives.