Wakefield charity submits serious incident report over alleged safeguarding issues at orphanage

Penny Appeal, which is based in the city, confirmed earlier this week that they had been made aware of safeguarding issues at the community-based organisation run by partner organisation Penny Appeal Gambia.

In a statement, the charity said they were "truly horrified" by the allegations, and had commissioned an investigation into "all related matters".

The Charity Commission, a governmental body which regulates charities across England and Wales, has now confirmed that they are looking into the issues.

A spokesperson for the commission said: "“We are aware of concerns about an alleged safeguarding incident relating to one of Penny Appeal’s partner organisations. Penny Appeal has submitted a serious incident report to us, in line with our guidance.

"We are in contact with the trustees and will be seeking further information in order to fully assess this serious matter. We are unable to comment further at this time.

“All charities should be places in which people feel safe and free from harm; protecting people should be a priority for all charities.”