UP IN SMOKE
Scots firefighters furious as quarter of charity run entry fee pocketed by firm linked to chief
by Chris TaylorFIREFIGHTERS doing a fun run for injured pals have hit out at being made to hand a quarter of their entry fee to a firm linked to a top officer.
Area Commander Garry Mackay, 43, helped organise the ‘Steptember’ challenge in aid of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Family Support Trust.
His Breaking Strain business is staging the event — and claiming 26 per cent of each £19 entry payment as a management fee.
The firm was appointed by the charity’s board of trustees, which includes Mr Mackay, of Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire.
But a fire service insider said: “The troops are well and truly p****d off with this.
“The board appointed a firm run by one of their own members and it’s pocketing a big chunk of cash meant for the charity.
“There needs to be an investigation into the decision-making process.”
The FST offers financial aid and respite to firefighters and the families of fallen crew.
Participants in the virtual fundraiser are being urged to run up to 100 miles this month.
Breaking Strain made £10,000 to £15,000 for the trust running last year’s event.
Mr Mackay urged people to take part in the run on the Fire Service intranet, but did not mention his connection to the firm.
But he insists the FST’s 12 trustees agreed to hand the event contract to Breaking Strain.
He added: “I take no money from Breaking Strain. It takes no money from the event, it just covers the cost.”
We told in June how the Trust was blasted for spending more on admin staff than good causes.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We understand that any fees contributed to the company cover admin costs only.
"All sponsorship donations go directly to the charity.”