A charity boss has told of his dismay that his organisation lost out on vital funds after a businessman set up an event then disappeared for more than a year.
Last week we revealed how football fans, who forked out for an expensive charity dinner in Edinburgh, fear they have been left out of pocket after the event was cancelled and the organiser vanished.
Supporters paid between £750 and £1250 for tables at An Audience with Alan Stubbs, the ex-Celtic player and former Hibs boss, at Prestonfield House Hotel in April 2020.
The aim was to raise cash for homelessness charity Steps to Hope.
However, the firm behind the event appears to have gone bust and owner Alex Hurry, 42, finally made contact after our story appeared.
Now Steps to Hope has revealed last week was the first time Hurry had been in touch since last summer and said it hopes that everyone who bought a ticket is reimbursed in full.
Founder Richard Roncero said: “When Alex Hurry first approached us I was a bit sceptical but he got Alan Stubbs to call me.
“Alan planned to auction off a cup he had won in his playing days and this would have gone to the charity. It seemed like a wonderful fundraiser.
"Ticket sales were going well and then the pandemic hit and none of us heard anything from him in months.
"I am angry and feel sad for the public.
“I’m also very angry that our charity has been dragged into this. I just hope that now he has been in touch he follows through with his promise to reimburse the public.”
Event organiser Capital Events Management told punters the dinner would be rescheduled but now the firm seems to have gone bust.
Public records have the business address as a tax accountant in Edinburgh but Hurry lives in Hawick, Roxburghshire.
Hurry said on Facebook ticket buyers would be contacted this week.
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