​Charity pays cash to reality TV star

Barnardo's is facing mounting criticism for paying a reality TV star £3,000 to front one of its campaigns.

Made in Chelsea star Alexandra “Binky” Felstead was given the cash to endorse a retail campaign for the children's charity.

The story became an issue after a tabloid newspaper claimed Barnardo’s paid Felstead £20,000 – a charge that both the charity and the TV personality denied.

Nevertheless Barnardo’s defended paying the star a fee.

“Campaigns such as these can generate £100,000 worth of stock,” said a spokesperson.

“It’s this money that will then go towards our charitable work with children.

We took a business decision to acquire the support of Alexandra

“We took a business decision to acquire the support of Alexandra (Binky) Felstead using retail profits to bring the appeal to a new and wider audience.

“We expected the campaign to increase our retail stock significantly and will be monitoring its impact on our sales.”

The charity added that Felstead was the first celebrity to ever be approached in a paid capacity by the charity.

Representatives of Felstead have subsequently released a statement claiming that the reality television personality will not be accepting her fee.

“We can confirm that Binky has agreed to waiver her 3K fee. Her decision to work with Barnardo's was always for good intentions. She was offered this fee to front a campaign. However her intention has always been to give the entire fee back to charity in some way."