London Fire: Charity Fee Overcharging Accused

JustGiving, the online donation agency, is facing criticism in the UK for charging exorbitant fees for donations in the Grenfell case.

After the pain, the victims now demand justice for those who caused the heartbreaking tragedy. Photo: Reuters

In fact, it is not just JustGiving but other donation companies in the UK that also have this fee. However, this company charges up to 5% of the total amount of donations, twice as much as other companies, according to the Telegraph.

In just one day, JustGiving raised £2.3 million. This is the largest online donation the company has ever collected. For this amount, according to the company's regulations, JustGiving will charge a fee of £115,000 (about $147,000).

As of now, the fundraiser is still ongoing, meaning the total amount collected by the end of this will increase.

In other words, the amount JustGiving will retain is more than the £115,000 figure. JustGiving has confirmed that it will not limit donations to Grenfell victims and claims that all fees will be used for network maintenance and taxes.

According to the Telegraph, in the 5% fee that JustGiving charges, there is a 1.25% so-called "transfer fee". However, in reality, the fee will be higher if the donor transfers money using Paypal (1.45%) and will be higher if the money is transferred from abroad.

This is not the first time JustGiving has been criticised for charging a donation fee. In March, the company announced it would not return a penny of the £30,000 donation to Keith Palmer, the police officer killed in the Westminster Bridge terror attack.

JustGiving's cold attitude has caused the British press to speak out. The income of the company's board of directors has been exposed, surprising many people because of its sky-high salary.

In 2016, JustGiving spent £9.2 million on salaries, including more than £442,000 for its two directors and founders. Also in the same year, JustGiving received £443 million in donations and took in nearly £28 million in fees, according to the Telegraph.

Women who came to sing and pray for the victims near the Grenfell Tower site could not hold back their tears on June 17. Photo: Reuters

The pain of loss and anger still lingers in the hearts of the survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire. But above all, the encouragement and material and spiritual support of society for the victims and their families. In addition to JustGiving, many other websites also call for donations, in the spirit of "a little goes a long way".

British Prime Minister Theresa May, after a nearly two-and-a-half-hour meeting with representatives of the victims on June 17, accepted responsibility for poor handling in the first hours after the disaster.

Mrs May also pledged to set up a £5m fund to support victims and arrange new homes for families within three weeks.

According to TTO