Mark Wildblood, a former SPM, has been in touch about a project he has been working on over the past few months. He has been trying to get the producers of Britain's Got Talent interested in featuring a Subpostmasters choir to sing a version of Falling Down by Will and The People and he will also try to get the producers to mention the Fund when broadcast in January.

The good news is they are keen, but production schedules mean he has only a few days to gather enough singing SPMs to form the choir so we offered to help spread the word. 

If you are a former or current SPM and would like to join in, or want to find out more, get in touch with Mark. He would prefer you contact him via WhatsApp (07397146879) asking to be added to the "Falling Down" song group. Alternatively, you can email him at ​[email protected] if that's easier. We understand most of it will be done remotely, at least in the rehearsals. 

If you don't know the song, listen to the original below. 

3PM ONWARDS, 19 JULY, DALY’S WINE BAR ON THE STRAND (AT THE TOP OF ESSEX STREET)

One thing the Fund has learnt over the past couple of years is the value of connecting Subpostmasters. Talking to others who have been through a similar experience can sometimes be one of the best forms of therapy available.

In a first-of-its-kind for the Horizon Scandal Fund charity, we are putting out an open invite to any Subpostmasters (and their partners/immediate family) who have been affected by the scandal to join us between 3pm - 9pm, Friday 19th July at Daly’s Wine Bar.

​The venue is less than 5 minutes walk from Aldwych House, almost directly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice, hopefully making it easy for those who wish to attend the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry that day (Jo Swinson is to be questioned).

There is no agenda - we just want to provide a space for a few hours for people to come together and chat over a drink and nibbles. 

This being central London, parking is expensive and unlikely to be close to the venue. You are recommended to visit using public transport and/or taxis. The nearest tube station is Temple (5 mins walk, uphill!).

If you would like to be there but are worried about the costs of travelling to London please do get in touch as we can provide assistance with travel and accommodation costs where required. Even if you do not need financial help to attend, please tell us if you intend to be there so we can provide the venue with numbers. The email address is [email protected]. Vegan and vegetarian food will be provided. Please tell us if you have specific dietary/accessibility requirements.

We have hired a private, ground-floor room at Daly’s. Capacity is limited and if we are over-subscribed we will only be able to accommodate those who have specifically told us they are coming. The main bar in Daly’s is open to everyone.

Finally, we are aware the venue and timing will not be convenient for everyone. As a charity we can help with regional events too so if you would like to organise your own event, please get in touch. We would be delighted to help you meet up with other Subpostmasters to chat through your own experiences.

FAQs

Why are you doing this?
We know that former Subpostmasters affected by the Horizon scandal value coming together socially. We know it can be therapeutic to meet up with others affected in the same way. 

Who can come?
This is for former Subpostmasters/Post Office managers/assistants affected by the scandal, and members of their immediate family.

How do I register?
​Please complete the very short form here or email [email protected]. 

Where is it?
Daly’s Wine Bar, 210 Strand (at the top of Essex Street), London WC2R 1AP.

What time/date?
We start at 3pm on Friday 19 July, and the event will wind up by 9pm.

Is it free?
Yes! We are not charging anyone for coming and there are no tickets issued, but please do register your interest by email to [email protected]. Tell us your name, the name of the Post Office branch you worked at/ran, whether you want to bring a guest, what time you aim to arrive, any requests for financial assistance to cover travel and/or accommodation and any dietary/accessibility requirements. 

Is it free food and drink?
The charity is paying for food. Some individual trustees are putting some money behind the bar for drinks. We hope to therefore run a free bar for as long as possible, but get there early to ensure!

I don’t eat meat. Is that a problem?
No. There will be vegan and vegetarian options.

I don’t drink. Is that a problem?
No. Soft drinks will be provided.

I have problems hearing/getting about. Is that a problem?
Daly’s is a busy wine bar in central London. The private room is on the ground floor with step-free access. The main bar could be busy and we are expecting the private room to be quite noisy too. There is seating for around 25 people in the private room, which holds 50  people in total.

Who will be there?
Subpostmasters and their immediate families on a first-come-first-served basis, plus four or five charity trustees who are organising the event.  

Where is the nearest tube station?
Temple - walk uphill up Arundel street. When you get to the top you will see Daly’s at the top of Essex Street on your right about 100 yards away.

Where is the nearest bus station?
Almost directly outside Daly’s. London bus routes 11, 15, 26, 76 and 341 stop there.

Where is the nearest taxi rank?
Almost directly opposite Daly’s outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

We are extremely grateful that some recipients of our grants have kindly agreed to share a few words about their experience of interacting with the charity, so that we can give you a little more information about where your money has been going and how it has been helping. All applications and grants to the Fund are kept completely confidential and we have only named individuals with their express consent.

OUR GRANTS
At the time of writing, we have disbursed grants totalling just over £35,000. These are just a few of them:

Former Subpostmaster, Devon
Date of grant - July 2023
Amount - £1,147
 
   “I am 82 years old. Until 2010 I had been a Subpostmaster for 20 years. I was then falsely accused of theft by the Post Office but because I paid the money allegedly due to the Post Office the same day, I received a Caution rather than Prosecution, lost my business without compensation and my standing in the community.

  “I was compelled to borrow using Equity Release on my home to pay my closing business and other expenses and found myself and my wife in very tight financial circumstances.
It was only after 10 years that I spoke to my solicitor about it, and he made a claim straight away under the Post Office’s Horizon Shortfall Scheme in August 2020. 

   “It seems that the fact that I had been wrongly accused was conceded by the Post Office from the outset but three years after I applied, I have received no compensation at all, though I am told I may receive an interim payment shortly.

   “A few months ago my solicitor became aware of the Horizon Scandal Fund and made application on behalf of my wife and I for a new bed which we badly needed but could not, in our reduced circumstances, afford. The money and bed came through extremely quickly.

   “I am incredibly grateful to those who gave to the fund to make this possible. What makes me incredibly angry, as well as conversely grateful, is that such a Fund has had to be created at all to assist those who have been unjustly ruined by the Post Office whilst they await years for their claims to be dealt with to their satisfaction. I have no doubt that some will settle out of financial desperation, well short of their proper entitlement.

   “My message to Subpostmasters who find themselves in the same financial circumstances as I did is to approach horizonscandalfund.org to see how they can help.”

Former Post Office manager, West of England
Dates of grants - January 2023 and May 2023
Amount - £1767
   
​   “I am so grateful for the help I received from the Fund. Our car failed its MOT and we could not afford the repairs which meant my husband couldn’t get to work. He is the sole earner so we were so worried! 

   “The grant covered it and we were back on the road in no time. The Fund also helped with my compensation claim, contributing to the cost of the first forensic accountant I needed to assess my losses. 

   “This information was essential to get a true independent valuation. I cannot express the relief this charity has given to us. It’s great to finally have support. 

   “Thank you to you all who contributed and those that made this happen. We would have been truly stuck.”

Former Subpostmaster, North East of England
Dates of grants - May 2022 to Feb 2023
Amount - £13,502
   
   “Over the past 12 months I got into difficulties with rent and household bills. After reaching out to the Fund they were really supportive and understanding and made the process very easy. They were able to help me through some very dark and difficult times for which I am forever grateful. This is a very important charity for Subpostmasters as very few people understand the true devastation this scandal has had upon peoples lives over so many years. I would recommend any Subpostmaster in need of help or support to reach out to them, it can really make a difference.”

Former Subpostmaster, London
Date of grant - December 2022
Amount - £1,500
   
   “I received a grant to help towards a holiday. Never in my dreams did I think the grant would be enough to cover the whole holiday but it was. Myself and my husband got a few days away to be ourselves without the stresses and anxiety of what is happening at home. Helping people who who have suffered massive losses, not only financially but also mentally is a great idea and I’m truly thankful.”

Former Subpostmaster, London
Dates of grants - July 2022 to September 2023
Amount - £3,900
   
   “I will be forever thankful for all the help from the Horizon Scandal Fund. They have helped us during a number of crisis points in our lives over the last couple of years. It’s hard to find the words that could reflect how grateful we truly are.  

   “If you are affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal don’t hesitate to reach out as it’s a smooth process without any added stress. The team are so compassionate and understanding. Within 24 hours I’ve had things approved which have really helped when time was of the essence. Relationships have been saved by getting urgent help when needed. We’ve even had a contribution towards a much needed holiday for us all this year. Just knowing that help is ready and waiting means a lot to me as a victim of this scandal.  

   “I am also grateful to those that have contributed towards this fund. If only they had a glimpse of how they contribution has impacted the lives of the victims. Bless them all!!”

Mark and Gizmo
Date of grant - October 2022
Amount: £1483

Gizmo is a support dog, given to Mark Kelly to help keep him calm. Mark was a Subpostmaster in Swansea. On two occasions Mark’s branch was attacked by armed robbers. The Post Office tried to hold him liable for the stolen cash. Although Mark came through this, he was suspended in 2006 after an audit. By this stage he was extremely vulnerable. The Post Office said he had a £12,000 discrepancy, but Mark disputed this. He was told he would be prosecuted if he didn’t resign. Mark resigned but was still interviewed by the Post Office’s criminal investigators. This led Mark to suffer a breakdown. He was taken into care under the Mental Health Act. When he came out he was interviewed by Post Office investigators again, this time at a police station. Although the Post Office decided not to prosecute him, they didn’t tell him this, and left him living in fear for years. 

Gizmo has been a really important companion to Mark and, last year, even sat on his lap when he gave his oral impact statement to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry 

Mark told us: 

   “I have depression, anxiety and PTSD. Gizmo grounds me so I don’t, for example, attempt to end my life, like I have in past. During the coronavirus pandemic, Gizmo was trained to bark if people came within 2 metres of me and I didn't see them due to me being high risk with asthma and diabetes.  

   “Gizmo means the world to me. Many people have said he is like my shadow. Due to the fact he attended with me during my impact statement, he has also become a sort of star with fellow survivors of scandal, a mascot, you could say.”

Sadly in October 2022 Gizmo’s leg was run over by a car and he needed immediate surgery. The Horizon Scandal Fund was able to fund a third of the cost of Gizmo’s treatment. Mark said:

   “At the time of accident I was so stressed about Gizmo. I was thinking he won't be able to walk on four legs or worse…  that would be devastating for my world. Then a fellow former Subspostmaster referred Gizmo and I to the Horizon Scandal Fund Charity. They were so understanding, respectful and processed the claim with no stress.”

We are delighted to report that Gizmo has made a full recovery. Mark wrote to tell us that Gizmo “would like to thank the trustees with the support of his medical bill”.

​MORE ABOUT US
We hope that by publishing the examples above, other potential applicants will see the range and size of grants we can offer and it will encourage more people to come forward. 

We are aware that despite the distracting statements by the Post Office and government about compensation, there remains a huge amount of need amongst those still waiting for compensation and those who, for whatever reason, are not entitled to receive it. 

The Horizon Scandal Fund is for anyone who has been adversely affected by the Post Office Horizon IT scandal - this extends to the families (and, in some circumstances, much loved pets) of those affected. We welcome applications on behalf of people who may not think to apply for themselves and will deal with everything sensitively and confidentially.

Our income comes mainly via donations from generous individuals or family/charitable trusts. One barrister working on the inquiry is donating a percentage of her net fees to the Fund. A percentage of net income to Bath Publishing from sales of The Great Post Office Scandal is also donated to the Fund.

Our trustees are Helen Lacey, Nick Wallis, Sandra Tizzard, Varchas Patel, Helen Baker, Eleanor Shaikh and Nicola Wallis. The Chair of Trustees is David Chaplin and our patron is Lord (James) Arbuthnot. Between us we have experience of running Post Offices, being victims of the scandal, campaigning for justice and reporting in the news media on it for several years. More information about the trustees and our activities can be found on our website and our page on the Charity Commission website.

If you would like to receive occasional updates about our fundraising activities and the people we have helped, please consider signing up to our newsletters using the form below. We will only use your email address to let you know about the activities of the Horizon Scandal Fund and will not share it with anyone else.

Eleanor Shaikh, recent recipient of mySociety’s Campaigning for Justice award, has become the Horizon Scandal Fund’s newest trustee.
 
Eleanor is known to hundreds of former Subpostmasters for her outstanding investigative research into the Post Office Horizon scandal and the care and empathy she brings to her work. El is the author of the document Origins of a Disaster, which painstakingly digs into the detail of the government’s involvement in procuring Fujitsu’s Horizon IT system for the Post Office, and she has become a past master at using Freedom of Information requests to extract crucial documents from public bodies.
 
Eleanor said:
 
“My own ex-Sub-Postmaster, Chirag Sidhpura, got caught up in the scandal in 2017. I began investigating, raised a petition and started badgering our local MP, Jeremy Hunt, to get involved. When Chirag and I attended the High Court as observers during the Bates v Post Office group litigation, I met many other remarkable survivors. It was a turning point. I realised you can’t support one and not them all.”
 
Before becoming involved in helping Chirag, El worked for nine years as a one-to-one special needs learning assistant in a mainstream infants school. She now works in a Primary/Secondary Special School in Surrey supporting youngsters with a range of complex learning difficulties including speech and language and those with additional diagnoses such as Autistic Spectrum Condition.
 
El added:
 
“I’m totally honoured to be joining the trustees of the Horizon Scandal Fund and look forward to doing whatever I can to contribute to their vital work. Countless people have suffered unimaginable harm as a result of this scandal. Each grant may seem a drop in the ocean but it can be an absolute lifeline to a family or single individual.”
 
Lord Arbuthnot, patron of the Horizon Scandal Fund charity said:
 
“Eleanor Shaikh has been a key part of the campaign to bring out the true story of what has been done to the sub-Postmasters.  Her Freedom of Information requests, which have been informed by her deep forensic and investigatory skills as well as by her compassion, have made it impossible for those responsible to hide their actions.  She will bring immense value as a trustee of the Horizon Scandal Fund.”
 
David Chaplin, chair of the Horizon Scandal Fund board of trustees said:
 
“We are delighted Eleanor has agreed to join the trustees. She has been a truly inspirational figure in the fight for justice for Subpostmasters​ and her inside knowledge of the scandal will help us better respond to the many requests for help we are, regrettably, still receiving on a weekly basis.”
 
Further information
The Horizon Scandal Fund exists to help former Subpostmasters, managers, assistants, Crown Office workers and their families whose lives have been impacted by the Horizon scandal. 
 
It is a registered Charity (no 1199595). We are funded by generous individuals, charitable trusts and a percentage of income from sales of The Great Post Office scandal book.
 
Since its inception in November 2021, the Horizon Scandal Fund has disbursed grants totalling £36,487 to many former Subpostmasters in desperate need.
 
As well as Eleanor, the Horizon Scandal Fund’s trustees are David Chaplin (Chair), Helen Lacey (Treasurer), Varchas Patel,  Sandra Tizzard, Helen Baker, Nick Wallis and Nicola Wallis.

It's that time of the year. On 15th October two of our trustees, Helen Lacey and David Chaplin, are going to run the Bath Half Marathon again to raise money for the Fund and awareness of the scandal.

Over the past year the Fund has helped

• several SPMs get the counselling they need that could not be provided by the NHS or they could not afford privately
• with an emergency vets bill for an injured support dog
• keep a roof over the heads of SPMs facing rent arrears
• some SPMs get a much needed respite break with their families
• fund a get together for SPMs to meet up to share their experiences and a deserved night out

Tragically, and scandalously, we continue to get requests for help as further delays to compensation payments - even interim ones - come to our attention. Hopes that we would now be winding down the charity have proven to be unfounded.

All of which means donations are still very much welcome and will be put to the best use we can. Click here to donate.

That said we would like to take this chance to thank everyone who has donated over the past twelve months. When times are hard out there, your support and generosity is humbling. 

We are delighted to announce that Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom has agreed to become Patron of the Fund.

As James Arbuthnot MP, he was instrumental in helping Alan Bates and his fellow Subpostmasters get their voices heard in the corridors of power, and he has continued to campaign on their behalf from the House of Lords. He genuinely cares about the Subpostmasters and the horrendous stories he has heard, and he has spent years of his life doing his utmost to give their case the exposure it has needed. His support will help us continue to promote the Fund and our work helping Subpostmasters while compensation is resolved. 

Our trustee, Nick Wallis, and his journalist colleague, Rebecca Thomson, interviewed Lord Arbuthnot in a recent podcast, where he talks about how and why he came to be part of the campaign. Fascinating listening. 

​David Chaplin and Helen Lacey ran the Bath Half Marathon on 16 October 2022 to raise funds for the subpostmasters. In total we raised over £1,000 and we'd like to thank everyone for supporting us and the fund. 

It was a beautiful day and we managed to cross the line after 2 hours and 13 minutes. David was aiming for 1 hour 45 but chose instead to stick with me keep me going. Having now run 3 half marathons, I did think 'never again' about half way round but you know what - we have both put in for next year!  It appears we're not quite ready to hang up our running shoes ...

​

The Horizon Scandal Fund is delighted to have received registered charitable status ten months after its launch.

The Fund is celebrating the occasion by formally welcoming a substantial donation made by Flora Page, one of the barristers who represented three Subpostmasters in their successful quest to overturn their criminal convictions at the Court of Appeal last year. Flora has donated her net fees of £3256 for working on the case to the Horizon Scandal Fund. 

The Horizon Scandal Fund supports Subpostmasters who are struggling financially, emotionally and physically as a result of the Post Office Horizon Scandal and/or the Post Office’s punitive methods in the first two decades of this century. During this period more than 700 people were criminally prosecuted using unreliable IT evidence and thousands more were sacked and/or forced to use their own income and savings to make good balancing errors.

Flora Page, barrister, said: “When I offered to act for Seema Misra, Janet Skinner and Tracy Felstead, I wanted them to know that I would not profit from their appeals. It seemed important, because most of the multi-million settlement in the Bates litigation went to the lawyers and litigation funders. My clients are yet to receive anything like proper compensation. To keep my promise to three courageous women, I have donated my net fee for working on their appeals to the Horizon Scandal Fund. While the Post Office’s victims wait and wait for proper compensation, the Fund will offer some help, and try to keep people going.”

David Chaplin, chair of the trustees, said: “Flora’s generous donation of £3256 is a welcome boost to the fund’s coffers. We have already helped several victims through short-term financial issues, for example paying rent. Significantly, we have also made grants to help with counselling and psychiatric services. It is a sharp reminder that the damage done by these wrongful convictions and arbitrary sackings was not just financial.” 

Nick Wallis, trustee, said: “Founding trustees Helen Lacey and David Chaplin, our new trustees and our lawyer Ian Fagelson (acting pro bono) have worked so hard to get our charitable status over the line. I am deeply grateful to them as I am to Flora and everyone who has donated anything to our newly-registered charity. I would urge everybody to take a look at horizonscandalfund.org which explains more about how the Fund can help improve peoples' lives. Our charitable status means we are recognised by HMRC and can now take gift aid on all donations, which can be made very easily through our website.”

If you would like to interview Flora, David, Nick or Helen, please call Nick on 07976 432174 or David on 01225 577810. If you would like to speak to someone who has already been helped by the fund, please call David or Nick.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The Horizon Scandal Fund (Registered Charity No. 1199595) considers all requests for grants to help people and families directly affected by the Post Office Horizon Scandal. The scandal is regarded as one of the most widespread miscarriages of justice in UK legal history. The Fund was launched on 18 November 2021. Its web address is www.horizonscandalfund.org and it can be found on Twitter as @HSFforSPMs

Flora Page represented Seema Misra, Janet Skinner and Tracy Felstead at the Court of Appeal and continues to represent them (they are designated core participants) at the Post Office Horizon Inquiry.  All three had their convictions quashed on 23 April 2021. 

David Chaplin and Helen Lacey run Bath Publishing, which publishes Nick Wallis’s book The Great Post Office Scandal. The idea for the Horizon Scandal Fund arose during a series of discussions between the three over the course of 2021.

Recently appointed trustees of the charity include a former Subpostmaster, a serving Subpostmaster and the relative of someone directly affected by the Horizon scandal. Their details can be found in the Charities Commission Register of Charities under the Horizon Scandal Fund.

If you, your family or someone you know is directly affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal and you would like to ask for help, please email [email protected] with more details about the situation and the sort of help you are looking for. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We're relieved to say that we are now registered for GiftAid.

That means if you are a UK resident taxpayer we can claim an additional 25% on any donation you make. To claim it, we need to collect a few details from you but it's all explained on our Donate page and is hopefully simple enough.
​
Our next task is to get a donation payment gateway on the site - hopefully we'll have more news on that very soon.​ 

​Bank account now set up
We have now got a bank account set up to start collecting donations - details are as follows:
Bank: HSBC; Sort Code: 40 09 19; Account Number: 22827549

Charity registration
We are now a registered charity (charity number 1199595).

Gift Aid
Gift Aid: We are still going through the process of registering with HMRC so we can claim Gift Aid on donations. We will update this page when this is done.
​
Until we are registered we cannot claim Gift Aid on any donations so it might be worth you waiting for this to happen before donating.