The UK's fundraising regulator will investigate over 300 complaints made in relation to the death of 92-year-old poppy seller Olive Cooke

The Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) has published the terms of reference for its investigation into concerns about charity fundraising practices, prompted by allegations that Olive Cooke was overwhelmed by fundraising requests.

The investigation, which commenced on 18 May shortly after the Prime Minister issued a statement asking the FRSB to look into the matter, is being undertaken by the FRSB executive team and overseen by the board’s compliance and standards sub committee, consisting of independent board directors.

Mrs Cooke, 92, was found dead in the Avon Gorge outside Bristol on 6 May.

Friends said the well known poppy seller had been pestered by charities in the period leading up to her death.

There are two principal strands to the investigation: the circumstances leading to Mrs Cooke feeling overwhelmed by contact from charities and identification of key learnings from the public complaints received by the FRSB following Mrs Cooke’s death

The FRSB has made contact with representatives of Mrs Cooke’s family with the aim of arranging a face-to-face meeting to ascertain the reasons behind the amount of contact she was receiving from charities.

The investigation will address the key themes of more than 300 plus public complaints received by the FRSB which were prompted by allegations that Olive Cooke was overwhelmed with requests. These are being grouped into seven key areas.

Any complaints relating to a specific FRSB member’s fundraising activities will be put through the FRSB’s standard complaints process.

The outcome of the investigation will be published and presented to the Institute of Fundraising’s Standards Committee. The Institute of Fundraising has committed to review the Code of Fundraising Practice and relevant guidance in light of the investigation findings.

Alistair McLean, chief executive of the Fundraising Standards Board, said: “This investigation will look at the specific circumstances that led Olive Cooke to feel overwhelmed by fundraising approaches from charities, but also at the large volume of feedback and complaints we have received from the public over the past week or so.”

“This must be a thorough investigation, but we also recognise the need to act quickly in identifying any lessons that can be learned and channeling that information back to the sector, with a view to strengthening charity fundraising practices and building public confidence.”