Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

R.M.V.F.

Does anyone know anything about the new R.M.V.F. second-hand shop at 473 Green Lanes?

I've been told it's in support of whistleblowers and is indeed run by one. R.M.V.F. stands for "Raising My Voice Foundation", and it also says "Working for Charity" on the sign.

I'm just wondering where the money generated actually goes. I'm not in any way casting aspersions -- I'm just curious.

Tags for Forum Posts: raising my voice foundation

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on February 27, 2012 at 9:15

Unless one is prepared to go to the length of taking on the Charity Commission in Court, this big qango behaves as a law unto itself.

I understand that the Commission is chaired by a party political appointee, who puts in a three day week. If she does not go, then at least some thought might be given to reviewing her generous £70,000 salary, which might be one way of saving money.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John D on February 27, 2012 at 10:31

What's missing from NOYB's post is whether or not the franchise actually did support Mencap or not.

Just because Oxfam is a multi-employee big name outfit, does that mean it's trading fraudulently ?

How much is a millionairess worth these days ? Perhaps her million provided the seed capital to set up a chain of absolutely genuine charity shops ? Is Andrew Carnegie suspect because he was rather rich ?

Is the NOYB post mere unsubstantiated gossip ?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 0eoqscvsq0uo0 on February 27, 2012 at 16:07

I've no doubt that the franchise gave just enough to Mencap to stay legit. The info came to me from various disaffected employees over very many months. 'How much is a m...?'; well, she apparently owns a string of properties, lives in the Herts stockbroker belt and drives a Bentley. None of this proves tuppence, but then again it doesn't disprove tuppence either. Sorry if i gave the impression that i suspect Oxfam; certainly not. What are you trying to say?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on February 27, 2012 at 16:26

NOYB, this is still vague. I know of the Mencap shop that's on the corner of Stroud Green and Stapleton Hall Roads but don't know of the franchise nor "the whole chain of these places" that you mention. Do you mean the former 2nd hand clothing/furniture shop on the west side of SG road?

Being a millionairess isn't a crime of itself.

(I used to have a low opinion of Bill Gates, who became a hugely rich. He is now likely to be remembered, not as a purveyor of third-rate operating systems (through copying, cheating, stealing and criminal conduct) but as one of history's greatest philanthropists, saving countless lives and eradicating diseases. Mr Gates had gone up greatly in my estimation).

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John D on February 27, 2012 at 16:38

So it IS unsubstantiated gossip - and from disaffected employees at that.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 0eoqscvsq0uo0 on February 28, 2012 at 17:04

John: one single person making statements is just that. Two persons saying the same thing on different occasions is a bit more significant. Three people.... What do you mean by 'and from disaffected...' ? Are disaffected employees more untrustworthy than others? And how do you define 'substantiated' as opposed to gossip?

Clive: Yes, i meant the former 2nd hand clothing/furniture place on the west side of SG rd. just a few yards down and other side of the road from the branded Mencap shop you mention. They were part of a chain with another identical outfit on the Seven Sisters rd on the corner with Hornsey rd. Both closed up suddenly about two years ago. i know a bit about the setup because i'm a second-hand junkie, had plenty of bargains from them and also a fair bit of hassle getting refunds from them on faulty electricals. Over the years there was a fair bit of banter between us. Nevertheless their general attitude was of a sour resentment at (i think) the contradictions of the charity front they had to put up and their own internal politics. Its only when you buck the system that you find out what really goes on.

BTW, A large part of Bill Gate's donations consist of computing time sifting thru malaria gene mutations.