The Fundraising Regulator is looking into a complaint about Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Brave the Shave’ fundraising campaign, a spokesman said today.
A spokesman for the Fundraising Regulator confirmed to Civil Society News that it received a complaint from a member of the public in relation to Macmillan and its ‘Brave the Shave’ campaign.
The spokesman would not confirm when the Fundraising Regulator received the complaint, or what the nature of the complaint was.
Civil Society Media understands that over 50 complaints were made about ‘Brave the Shave’ last year, although none of these were received by the now defunct FRSB.
An article was also written in The Times over the weekend, quoting a number of cancer survivors condemning the campaign as “offensive”.
The Times quotes one “cancer survivor” as saying: “We didn’t ask for all of us to get cancer… I find the campaign patronising and offensive”.
It also quotes Rebecca Masterman, 55, an artist and cancer survivor from Lincolnshire, who said: “There is nothing brave about shaving your head".
Last year’s ‘Brave the Shave’ campaign raised £4.4m for Macmillan and saw over 23,000 people sign up to take part. The campaign has raised over £2m so far this year.
A spokeswoman for Macmillan said: "We know that this is not a chosen fundraising method for everyone, but last year over 23,000 people signed up, raising over £4.4 million for Macmillan’s vital services supporting people with cancer and their loved ones through treatment and beyond.
"We take feedback very seriously and as a result of a small number of recent negative comments about 'Brave the Shave' we have committed to carrying out in depth research with supporters and people affected by cancer to ensure we are delivering fundraising activities that resonate and inspire people to get involved in our work."
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