Calls for ‘Olive's Law’ after suicide of UK's oldest poppy seller

Written by Admin 2 21 May 2015
Calls for ‘Olive's Law’ after suicide of UK's oldest poppy seller

The suicide of a 92 year-old Christian woman, dubbed Britain's oldest poppy seller, has prompted calls for an ‘Olive's Law’ to be introduced, to curb unsolicited phone calls from charities looking for money. According to her family and friends, Olive was driven to her death partly because she was ‘exhausted’ by the constant demands of cold calls and direct mail from charities, many of which she had supported over the years. Now the Government is being urged to take action, by introducing a so-called ‘Olive's Law’. Labour MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy, said, ‘We don't want to impede charities in their efforts to raise much-needed support, but if a law change is needed to stop vulnerable people like Olive being harassed, then so be it.’ The Institute of Fundraising Standards Committee said it will bring together representatives from across the charity sector to review the case.

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