Agency drops Kevin Wright jobs advert
Bosses at young people’s advice and information centre Exeter Connexions have taken down adverts for two positions of “fundraising news vendors”.
Connexions took the step after 18-year-old Aaron Burnett, who was offered a job with Mr Wright’s company Health Truth News, contacted them.
Mr Wright has previously claimed that although the company operates commercially, it gives a percentage of the money it collects to the Exeter-based Kids Integrated Cancer Treatment (KICT).
The Echo recently revealed how officers at Mid Devon District Council raised concerns about how the public could be confused by street vendors working for Mr Wright, who wore jackets with both the KICT and Health Truth News logos.
Mr Burnett, of St David’s Hill, Exeter, answered one of the adverts placed in Connexions and was offered a job with Mr Wright after an interview.
But he turned down the post after he became confused as to whether he was raising money for charity or helping to earn profits for Mr Wright’s company.
John Davey, director of service delivery for Connexions in Devon, said: “A young man came in to talk to us about concerns he had following an interview for a job which had been advertised to which he had responded.
“He did the right thing by raising his concerns with us. I would like to stress that if any young person has any concerns about the way in which they are being treated in the workplace they should come and talk to Connexions.”
He added that adverts for the post were removed from Connexions’ list due to the concerns raised.
Mr Burnett said: “I was on the bus on the way to my first day when I decided not to turn up. I really needed a job and I’ve sent out hundreds of CVs but the job with Health Truth News concerned me.
Mr Burnett added: “Connexions were quite happy that I went in there and told them how I felt.”
The Echo recently revealed how KICT has been reported to the Charity Commission over an allegation it did not have a licence to collect money.
Street collectors wearing jackets bearing the logo of KICT and Health Truth News have been fundraising in towns across the county, including Tiverton.
Mid Devon District Council has issued a formal warning to KICT and Health Truth News after repeated warnings to stop fundraising or apply for a permit.
KICT is registered to an address in Pinhoe Road, Exeter, and is headed by Ian Weir. Mr Weir was formerly involved in the running of the now disbanded Bobby’s Fund, which claimed to have raised millions to help young cancer sufferers after it was set up several years ago. But as revealed in the Echo, it came under fire for not registering as a charity and after admissions from Mr Wright that he attacked an employee.
Mr Wright declined to comment to the Echo on the withdrawal of the adverts, but said: “They are not fundraisers and they are paid per publication sold.”
He has previously told the Echo: “Health Truth News publishes information and chooses to give its profits to KICT — last month it donated £5,000 to KICT.
“I don’t take any wages from it and earn my money through various other business ventures that I’m involved with, including a chemical company and a motorcycle company.”
