Wigan Athletic: Liquidation hits Liverpool-based charity Big Help Project
A Liverpool-based charity partnered with Wigan Athletic under the former ownership - which is already under investigation by regulators - has seen liquidators appointed to an associated company.
The Big Help Project – a ‘multi-award-winning national charity’ – was set up in 2011 to assist people struggling with poverty and which provides accommodation to vulnerable adults.
It was gifted front-of-shirt sponsorship of Latics by Phoenix 2021 Ltd for the 2022-23 campaign.
However, last December the Charity Commission 'identified a significant increase in its reported income', and launched an investigation.
Now, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, insolvency practitioners Stratford Hamilton and James Sleight of PKF Littlejohn Advisory have been appointed joint liquidators of Big Help Project Limited - an associated entity of the charity.
A spokesperson for the Big Help Group said: "We are aware of the liquidation of BHP Ltd. BHP Ltd is a separate for profit private limited company which has no relationship with Big Help Project the charity. We are continuing to work closely with the administrators to support the mutual closure of the private limited company."
Former Liverpool city councillor Peter Mitchell is a director of the limited company, and CEO of the charity.
At the time of the tie-up with Latics, Mitchell said: “We are thrilled about this new partnership between Big Help Project, EPIC and Wigan Athletic. Football helps to forge a strong sense of community and that’s what we at Big Help Project are all about, creating strong bonds in communities to help them thrive.
"Through this unique partnership, we will be able to increase awareness and access to the vital services we offer, allowing us to make a tangible difference within the Wigan community. It is an honour to be associated with Wigan Athletic and together we are united in the fight to empower people out of poverty and assist them onto a better future.”
In the same press release, then-Latics CEO Mal Brannigan added: “We are really pleased that we will be able to raise awareness for – and grow – the work of Big Help Project in Wigan through this partnership. Ultimately, this partnership is going to benefit people in Wigan who need assistance during what is an incredibly challenging economic and social period.”