Row over charity patronage

The policeman blinded by killer Raoul Moat has accused Peter Kay of going back on a promise to back his charity.

PC David Rathband said the comic agreed to become patron of his Blue Lamp Foundation when they met backstage at his gig in Newcastle last month.

But he said that this week, he was told Kay will not be putting his name to the charity, which helps emergency services staff injured in the line of duty, due to ‘other commitments’.

A statement posted on the foundation’s website yesterday said: ‘It is with much sadness that we inform our supporters that Peter Kay has reneged on his commitment to PC David Rathband's Blue Lamp Foundation, and will therefore no longer be supporting us.

’A spokeswoman for Mr Kay told us that "because of Peters commitments with other organisations, he does not feel he can do your charity any benefit or justice".’

PC Rathband, of Cramlington, Northumberland, told the Newcastle Journal he was ‘really disappointed’ with Kay.

He said: ‘It was the way we were told which was particularly annoying. He said he would [become a patron] and then we were told by email that he wasn’t.

‘We are just so pleased that other TV personalities are backing the foundation and are willing to do so much for us’

Carol Vorderman and Gok have agreed to help PC’s campaign by appearing on Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? to help raise funds.

No one from Kay’s agent, Phil McIntyre Entertainment, was available for comment today.

Published: 24 Dec 2010