NICVA response to Mark Townley comments in the Sun Newpaper

Neil Irwin
18 August 2010 - 11:04am
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In response to comments by Mark Townley in the Sun Newpaper dated 18 August 2010 NICVA is making the following statement:

Mark Townley has already failed to honour his promises to refund  voluntary and community organisations for his failed minibus, boxing rings and other youth work schemes.

NICVA has spoken to numerous sports clubs, community groups and suppliers to NTF across the UK who are owed money by Mark Townley. Cheques sent by Mr Townley to organisations who are owed money have bounced and now he is attempting to wind-up the company which he founded. NICVA would like to know what has happened to all the cash paid in deposits solicited by Mark Townley.

NICVA checked with the suppliers of minibuses named by Mark Townley to confirm if buses had indeed been ordered. The company based in the North of England confirmed to us that although Mark Townley had given the impression of placing deposits on 3 vehicles actually no cash had been received as promised from NTF and therefore no orders existed. Further attempts to place orders for minibuses where rejected by the company on this basis. In spite of repeated questioning Mark Townley was unable to provide robust answers as to how his various schemes were fully financed.

Former employees and volunteers of NTF confirmed to us that very little income was being received through fundraising for NTF. NICVA asked to see a copy of the company accounts to ascertain the solvency of NTF but these were not provided as agreed by Mark Townley.

NICVA rejects any implication that it was responsible for the failure of the NTF scheme. NICVA was so concerned by how the scheme was operated and promoted by Mark Townley that it informed the police in Musgrave St PSNI, Belfast and is continuing to advise other organisations with similar concerns to do the same.