Charity refuses cash from fancy dress fundraisers who blacked up as rappers and African beach sellers

Organisation said it was 'dismayed' to see outfits and suggests money is given to an equality charity instead

Glan Clwyd Hospital (Google)

A hospital charity has refused donations from a fancy dress pub crawl after some fundraisers blacked up as beach sellers and rappers.

Cuddles – an organisation that supports families using the special care baby unit at Rhyl’s Glan Clwyd Hospital – said it was "dismayed" to see pictures of people wearing the costumes during the annual Christmas event in Old Colwyn.

In a Facebook post, the charity’s trustees called the outfits “deeply offensive”.

They said they would not accept the money – thought to be around £1,000 – and suggested it be given to an equality charity instead.

The post said: “Photographs circulated on social media by the individuals concerned, and their comments accompanying them, have caused considerable distress to the people that have been in touch with us.

"We too were incredibly dismayed to see the photographs.

"As a charity, we totally reject this sort of conduct. We are shocked that anyone would consider this appropriate, and we refuse to be associated with behaviour that is racist, discriminatory or abusive in any way …

"In light of the above, it is with great disappointment that we will not be accepting the donation from this year’s event. We have not taken this decision lightly.

"Given the nature of this incident, we have suggested to the organisers that the donation instead be given to an equalities charity."

But the decision sparked a backlash, with many residents of the town saying individuals had not intended to offend.

One poster said: “To turn away money which ultimately helps a lot of local people is wrong.

"The charity is so close to the organiser's and so many other people’s hearts.

"I know most of the guys who get involved and they would never ever want to offend anyone.

"The people who see these things as offensive are the ones with an issue and I think they are in the wrong for causing this charity to lose out on money.”

The annual pub crawl has become something of a fixture in the town after being set up 10 years ago by resident Ian Jones, whose own son was helped by Cuddles after being born prematurely.