The founder of a children’s cancer charity that featured on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire programme has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.
Colin Nesbitt, 54, who set up Little Heroes Cancer Trust, was arrested at his home in Bingley, West Yorkshire, soon after 7am on Tuesday after the charity contacted police.
Nesbitt, who was released on police bail after questioning, appeared on Secret Millionaire in 2012, when the professional poker player Andrew Feldman donated £100,000 to the charity.
He set up the Shipley-based charity in 2008 after caring for his grandson, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia aged two.
Anni Wilkinson, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Following concerns, the trustees and I contacted the police. We continue to liaise with the police and charity commission.
“The main priority at Little Heroes Cancer Trust is to continue with the charitable activities and ensure we continue to support the children and families we are working with, who are affected by childhood cancer.
“We cannot comment any further due to the ongoing police investigation.”
The Charity Commission said it was working with the charity’s current trustees to address concerns but could not comment further on an active case.
Nesbitt and the trust helped launch the “wiggle bag”, which allows catheters to be safely hidden away in a harness while a child is undergoing treatment. The bag, developed with help from the University of Huddersfield, is undergoing trials at three hospitals in the UK and appeared at the British Science Festival.
Nesbitt is also a director of non-profit-making company Unite and Ignite Ltd, which provides fire-walking experiences for charitable events.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire police said: “A 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud and released on police bail pending further investigations.”
