I have just joined a voluntary group that helps raise money for a Charitable Trust and have become a member of the Committee. A Trust Member has suggested raffling a motorbike which a garage has offered to sell for £700. Because the garage owner is a friend of the 'trustee member' it has been decided to raffle the prize first and then with some of the lottery money pay the garage its £700. In effect ownership is still with the garage and not the Charitable Trust until after the event and when the prize has been given out to a member of the public. All based on good faith of the garage owner. The raffle tickets will be registered with the Trust and named accordingly not the garage and in the process of being printed.

Is this not illegal? Does the Trust need to purchase the bike first, then sell the raffle tickets etc. Surely you can't raffle something if you don't own it!

Ive checked the fundraising.org.uk website and cannot find anything in writing other than references to gifts or donations. I am quite concerned about this and have ask for legalaties to be checked by the Trust but to no avail. Could anyone please clarify this for me as I am seriously thinking of resigning from the Committee.