Megan fund row erupts

THE parents of Megan Malone, the little girl currently undergoing life-saving treatment in New York, have called for the trustees of the Megan Malone Trust Fund to step down in a row over how the fund is being managed.

However, in a statement issued by the trustees this week, they insist “the money is being managed in a fair and transparent manner”. According to a spokesperson for the trust, the trustees have themselves decided to seek to appoint a new group of independent trustees to manage the fund, which will be done in consultation with the Malone family and the fundraising committee.
Both John and Sheila Malone, Megan’s parents, this week raised their concerns about the fund on their online journal. “The Megan Malone Trust Fund is not being administered in a fashion which benefits Megan’s situation and her family,” they commented.
Donations to the Megan Malone Trust Fund currently stand at nearly €180,000, much of which was donated by Clare people as John’s family are from Ballyalla. Megan’s medical expenses have been covered by an anonymous third-party donor.
The family, including Megan’s brothers and sister, moved to New York to be with Megan during her treatment for a rare form of cancer at the New York Presbyterian Hospital.
They thanked every member of the fundraising team and each person who has donated to the fund. “You have all played your part and made it possible for us to travel to New York and stay here to care for Megan, while she receives this vital treatment,” the parents stated.
According to John and Sheila, the fund does not pay for food for them while they are at Megan’s bedside; taxis for Megan and her parents commuting from hospital, which they say is the safest and most economical way around; any medical treatment or medicines for the rest of the family, which they insist is “vital” to prevent Megan becoming ill as she is immuno-compromised and telephone calls to and from the hospital or otherwise. They insist these are “reasonable living expenses and should be covered”.
Megan’s parents stated, “Having sought legal advice, we have respectfully asked for all of the trustees to step down so that new trustees can be appointed. This is a very simple process and will be carried out to the letter of the law under legal advice.”
They continue, “We  appreciate the voluntary effort of the existing trustees but voluntary or not, they are still obliged to manage the fund correctly”. They concluded, “We remain committed as parents to our one goal and that is that we get Megan cured and in order to achieve that, the fund will have to be administered in a fashion, which benefits Megan’s situation and her family, as was always the intention. Megan is getting treated in New York. She is too young to be here without both parents, as are her three young siblings. Therefore, all reasonable living expenses, as already agreed by the existing trustees, have to be properly covered.”
The trustees of the Megan Malone Trust responded stating, “The Malone family and the fundraising committee approved the appointment of the trustees to manage the funds raised for Megan’s treatment in the USA and are satisfied that the money is being managed in a fair and transparent manner. The trustees of the Megan Malone Trust were asked to volunteer their time and expertise to provide support to the Malone family during this very difficult time and have been happy to do so. We take our responsibilities to Megan, the fundraisers and the Malone Family very seriously.”
According to a spokesperson for the trust, the statement is from the Malone family in Ireland and all of the fundraising committee in Clare, Cork and Limerick and claim the trustees have the full support of the Malone family.
The statement goes on, “The trustees are currently seeking to appoint a new group of independent trustees to manage the fund. They will replace the existing group of independent people currently in those roles. A process is underway to identify appropriate individuals to fulfil this role. Any appointments will be done in consultation with the Malone family and the fundraising committee.”
The trust outlined that to date, €16,262 has been approved and paid to John Malone in respect of “reasonable expense requests” including items such as flights, full cost of a car and babysitter, all medical expenses for Megan (not covered by donor), all taxis until the purchase of the family car, a computer with printer, a portion of the family food bill and so on.
“This covers an eight-week period and was paid to John Malone’s account on February 18, 2011, and a separate payment for flights was paid on January 10, 2011. In addition, the trust has facilitated a free house in New York for John Malone and family,” the trust state.
Further expense requests to the value of €13,211 for the same period have been submitted but have not been approved. “The trustees do not deem these requests to be reasonable nor in keeping with the objectives of the trust. Examples of such items can be categorised as cash withdrawals, clothes, eating out, cosmetics, other medical expenses not related to Megan and so on,” they state.