Hannah Ingram-Moore, daughter of Captain Tom, poses for a portrait in the family garden as she launches 'Captain Tom 100' - a new fundraising initiative to honor her father's legacy of joy and hope, in Marston Moretaine, near Milton Keynes, Britain on March 31, 2021. – Reuters

The family of Captain Tom Moore, the 100-year-old UK war veteran who became a global icon for his fundraising efforts during the Covid pandemic, reaped substantial financial rewards from connections to a charity established in his name, according to a watchdog report released on Thursday.

Captain Tom Moore captivated the British public during the Covid-19 lockdown when he raised nearly £33 million ($41.7 million) by walking 100 lengths of his garden using a walking frame. His image, adorned with military service medals, uplifted the nation amidst rising death tolls and uncertainty.

However, the Charity Commission's 30-page report highlighted repeated instances of misconduct by Moore's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband Colin. The couple was accused of misleading the public into believing they would donate significant sums from a book deal to the charity. An advance of approximately £1.4 million ($1.7 million) was paid to a company they directed for a three-book deal, none of which was allocated to the foundation.

Moore's extraordinary fundraising efforts for UK health service charities culminated in his 100th birthday in April 2020. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him, and his passing in February 2021 was marked by a nationwide tribute, including participation from Prime Minister Boris Johnson and members of Parliament.

The Charity Commission initiated an investigation into the foundation in 2021, shortly after Moore's death, and launched a formal probe in 2022. Earlier this year, the Ingram-Moores were disqualified from serving as charity trustees.

In response, the Ingram-Moore family refuted the commission's findings, asserting they had been treated unfairly. They characterized the process as excessive and accused the watchdog of having a predetermined agenda. They remain committed to preserving Captain Sir Tom's legacy and assure the public that no funds were misappropriated.

David Holdsworth, the commission's chief executive, stated that the investigation uncovered repeated instances of blurred lines between personal and charitable interests, resulting in significant personal gain for the couple. The report concluded that the public reasonably expected the Captain Tom books to financially benefit the charity and would feel misled by the lack of donations.

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