£20k crowdfund appeal

[dmr]

 

So why didn't he say that in his request for "crowdfunding" instead of the waffle of needing all this money to rebuild his "boat"?

 

Yes,as I said he was very wrong here because he was not honest about what the money was for,. Lots of organisations do exactly the same. CaRT take donations to look after wildlife then tarmac their habitats into cycleways!

 

I am not defending this bloke, just suggesting we stick to the facts!

 

..............Dave

[dmr]

Regardless of how interesting you may find that hull it will never be worth more than £500 more than its contents.

 

It is an aging fibreglass hull with an amateurish lid put on top.

 

With a, for example, well kitted out Freeman 30 fetching no more than £8k-10k it is difficult to see this as anything other than an attempt to get others to finance your chosen lifestyle.

 

When my boat sank I lost all the tools of my trade plus my clothes and those of my partner and our 3year old son.

 

Despite sitting next to our sunken home with nothing but our pyjamas at 4am we didn't once think of an internet scheme to provide a new home and possessions and would have been furious with any friends or family who thought we'd consider such action acceptable.

 

If this guy has any sense of decency he will return the cash and realise that it is an abuse of the crowd funding system.

 

He wont be the first to put a smart and expense interior into a no-hope shell though!.

 

Maybe he should come clean and say the money is to set up a boat based business and buy a better boat?

 

When things go wrong some of us sort it out ourselves, some ask their mates for help, but the new way to fix anything is to ask the www to help! In this case it very nearly worked too

 

I personally think that you have the better way of dong things.

 

.............Dave

[larkshall]

Reported to newsquest local titles London and south East area. Will report to Johnsons local titles London and SE. When I can raise the local news editor

[GreyLady]

I think this good forum is going a bit over the top here and showing its slightly unpleasant judgemental attitude again.

 

 

You can CC without an engine

How can someone Constantly Cruise with no engine - logically besides relying on other's.

 

I dont think people were being too judemental, I think some people are just annoyed with the whole cheak of the guy.

 

If he had asked for help setting up a business then their would of been no problem at all, but he asked for help replacing stuff on the Boat he never had to start with instead.

 

 

anyway I must not post on the subject again.

Edited August 31, 2015 by grumpy146

[StephenA]

Despite the obvious questions about how come the boat sank (not known) and what about your insurance (“third party only") many London Boaters donated significant amounts of money to help Mr Gopal/Copal, totalling over 2k within just a couple of days. Lots of people also offered him accom and practical help too.

 

According to RCR (on Facebook) it had sunk because it had been hit by another boat....

[sealeggings]

I do know this man of many names, i have had the misfortune to work with him in the past. He has been barred from two UK festivals that i know of for fraudulent behaviour, he was self serving when it came to the work he did at events and demanded that things were changed to suit him and his "fundraising" activities. A check of the companies house records shows the status of the Greenlight Foundation ( The charity name that he is posting on twitter with.) as having been dissolved as of 03/05/2012. http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08056576

 

This abuse of a crowd funding page is a travesty to those who may need to use it for genuine purposes in the future, besmirching its validity with spurious claims. It has been listed under emergencies and disasters, categories which conjure up much more dire situations than this. The claims of hardship are full of holes that many have noticed and contradictions that have alarm bells ringing for many. The man is disingenuous and has a bare faced cheek and is damaging the waterborne community with his claims and begging. It is also interesting to note that some of the earlier negative comments that were deleted from the fundraising page were from people who he admitted were his friends, whose friendship he "valued" so the complaints are not just from disgruntled other canal and boating community members who feel aggrieved or are being accused of "jealousy" by his partner.

 

He is asking not just for money to replace things as they were, which apparently according to eyewitnesses, was not very advanced, but he is asking for an astronomical amount to create his dream in totality! This is greedy and not in the spirit of what these funding pages were set up for.

[dmr]

How can someone Constantly Cruise with no engine - logically besides relying on other's.

 

I dont think people were being too judemental, I think some people are just annoyed with the whole cheak of the guy.

 

If he had asked for help setting up a business then their would of been no problem at all, but he asked for help replacing stuff on the Boat he never had to start with instead.

 

 

anyway I must not post on the subject again.

 

The new CaRT definition of CCing is only a handful of miles each year.

 

There are a very lovely family on a very interesting boat who CC on the Grand Union and North Oxford, easily exceeding CaRTs definition of CC'ng and do it entirely by bow hauling. These are probably the "exception" rather than the "Rule", but they prove it can be done and they are certainly self sufficient genuine boaters rather than scroungers!..

 

Last year we met a bloke bow hauling an old butty from somewhere up North down to London. I dunno if he continued to move once he got to London though!

 

..............Dave.

 

..............Dave

[GreyLady]

The new CaRT definition of CCing is only a handful of miles each year.

 

There are a very lovely family on a very interesting boat who CC on the Grand Union and North Oxford, easily exceeding CaRTs definition of CC'ng and do it entirely by bow hauling. These are probably the "exception" rather than the "Rule", but they prove it can be done and they are certainly self sufficient genuine boaters rather than scroungers!..

 

Last year we met a bloke bow hauling an old butty from somewhere up North down to London. I dunno if he continued to move once he got to London though!

 

..............Dave.

 

..............Dave

Fair enough Dave, I guess I should learn a bit more about the Canals before I comment on CCing without an Engine.

 

I knew a tiny bit about butty boats and horses but I never knew people pulled boats along by hand.

 

Appologies...

Edited August 31, 2015 by grumpy146

[dmr]

Fair enough Dave, I guess I should learn a bit more about the Canals before I comment on CCing without an Engine.

 

I knew a tiny bit about butty boats and horses but I never knew people pulled boats along by hand.

 

Appologies...

 

Its not something you see everyday, in fact this example is the only one that I am aware of who does it properly.

I know there are a couple of engine-less boats on the Western K&A, one that is pushed along with the boat pole (shaft) but I suspect that is just to avoid attention from CaRT or due to inability to organise an engine rather than as a chosen life style. I might be wrong though.

Its not uncommon to be towed by a friends boat when a boater experiences long term engine problems.

 

.............Dave

[Peter X]

The "Greenlight Foundation" mentioned by sealeggings exists as a facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/events/381711268660083/

which says it has an HQ opposite Watford Junction station, in what looks like a substantial office building. The last entry (on 12th January) is from "Gopal Das", saying "We are gathering as group to be the first to enter the new The Greenlight Foundation HQ in London" and encouraging people to turn up to help clean it up and then have a bit of a social gathering afterwards. A previous such event scheduled for 29/11/14 had been postponed because "Unfortunately there have been unexpected issues connecting the power & water in the Greenlight building".

If I were of a suspicious frame of mind I'd imagine that was an attempt to squat in commercial property, the favoured approach since the law was changed to protect residential property. The lack of posts since suggest that his HQ project was not a success.

[tidal]

To my mind this is an particularly appropriate forum to discuss things that I (and probaly most of us) wouldn't touch with a long pole...........

[Starcoaster]

He's a quarter of the way there now. The site said that they are investigating it, but the "appeal" remains up while they do so.

[Land]

Make of this what you like...

I randomly met Gopal once years ago. Seemed like a lovely fellow, was suppose to met up with him a few time, but he would bail at the last minute every time. The thing that bothered at every single point (other than the first meeting) he was asking for money from me. I mentioned I was interested in raw food and he would respond, such as oh I can teach that it will cost you £xx. He would send texts about classes and chat to me from time to time and on chat asking for donations. Never at any point did I say I was open to this instant commercialisation of every conversation. If you invite an Avon sales person into your home, you know what you are letting yourself up for. I wanted to be seen as a person, and soley as a money resource. I didn't understand where the sense of entitlement came from just because you had met me once to plug me for money at every opportunity.

In time I had explained that I had been made redundant from my job, that I was not coping to pay my own rent. Eventually I said to Gopal on chat that I had enough of the money asking. I was pleasantly surprised by his open response, words to the effect of "...If you have something to teach me, I am willing to listen..."

Next I got this email hitting me on my birthday for money to raise £20k, this was a few years ago. I never responded, and I never heard from him again...

Hey XXXXX, I hope u r well. It's been ages since we've properly been in touch, both of us so busy with various things. I'm sure much has happened in your life as has in mine.

Birthdays seem 2 b a gr8 chance 2 catch up with old friends so I thought I'd Drop u a line )

I'm not sure how much of my story I've been able to share with you thus far so I'll fill you in on a few details. In 98 I travelled to Guatemala 2 a retreat centre called Las Piramides. I participated in a month long yoga & meditation course. It was there I realized what was to be my life's work.

I remember the moment very clearly. It was about 8:30 in the morning towards the end of the course. We had been focusing on discovering why we had come to this world. What we came to learn &/or do. I was lying in a spinal twist yoga pose when suddenly my back clicked. An energy bolt, like lightning shot up my spine &, as if a light bulb had lit up above my head, I had a moment of clarity & inspiration. I had known for some time that I wanted to lead a spiritual life & I knew I wanted to live in harmony with nature but I knew little about either At that moment I just knew I had to open a spiritual retreat centre, based on a self sufficient farm.

The plan developed over time to include many other elements including conservation of the environment, working with local indigenous people to both help them to become self sufficient & to learn the wisdom of their ancient cultures. My original idea was to do it there in Guatemala however the unstable political climate there still proves to be a deterring factor.

I met XXXXX in Peru, an amazing man with over 14 years experience as a Shaman & curandero or healer. He lives in the rainforest where people travel from afar to visit him for healing & teachings. Over the last 2 years he has been training me to become a better healer & to understand how to live in harmony with the forest. he offered to sell some land for this project which has his full support. The land is absolutely beautiful with both hot & cold running water thanks to underground volcanic activity heating the river.

My aim now is to raise £20,000 by September. The intention is to hold a retreat as well as starting construction of our new community. We need 2 provide work & support for local people some friends tell me they are so poor they cannot even afford to buy rice & are forced to live in abject poverty.

Eventually we would like to begin taking in orphans from the big cities. There are many children living on the streets whose future holds little more than drugs & deprivation. If we could house even a few what a miracle it would seem to them to have a home & three square meals a day let alone the chance to be loved & educated.

I remember you saying that you didn't want to feel like you were being milked for money but still I have chosen to write to people who I know would feel connected to this project to ask for help. My wish is that 1000 people will be generous enough to donate just £20. If you are able to do this please fill let me know & I will send you The Greenlight Foundation's bank details. I will, if you like keep you updated of our progress & when we are able to invite you to come for a visit. If you were able to donate GB£30 we will plant a tree in your honour in the forest, a plaque will be made to accompany your tree & you can write an inscription with a dedication, a message or a prayer.

Thank you for your time & consideration.

I hope your birthday brings you much joy & happiness which spills out & fills your whole year with wonderous experiences.

With much love
Gopal
xXx


Even after I had been asked to not been plugged away for money he still did. He did not have consent to do this, or commercialise my birthday. Nor did I say in any way I was connected to his project. Neither was it clear to me - "...working with local indigenous people to both help them to become self sufficient & to learn the wisdom of their ancient cultures..."

Was he leaving a child in the UK behind to do this work in South America??

I see some similar marketing tacts playing to the ego of both money appeals -

E.G -
SOUTH AMERICA "...If you were able to donate GB£30 we will plant a tree in your honour in the forest, a plaque will be made to accompany your tree & you can write an inscription with a dedication, a message or a prayer..."

BOAT APPEAL"...For those that gave substantial contributions...when the build is complete I would like to engrave their names to the outside of the boat..."

He's not the first hippie/healer I have met who has pushed for money out of me, although he was the only one that did at every single point of interaction. Why does the saying exist - never trust a hippie? Also is he's healing business registered or is it cash in hand? Does he pay public liability insurance?

It is not illegal asking for donations, but maybe you are not aware of the frequency of the asking. He was only asking for £20k not that long ago.

 

[RLWP]

Thank you for that Land

 

Welcome to the forum

[MtB]

Welcome Land!

 

(Can you lend me a tenner?)

 

But seriously, thanks for that long post. Gives an interesting insight into this chap, although it confirms what many of us have already decided about him.

 

He must have some personal charisma about him that makes gullible people hand over money.

[Land]

Thanks for the welcome!

I forgot when I first meet Gopal he was working casually for a charity, being on the street asking for donations type of work. I know when I worked for a charity it was certainly an insight into how to market and to play to peoples emotions for money. In a nutshell at the end of one charity course I was told - "...We are basically here at the call centre to flirt with old ladies..."

He's plugging away everywhere...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/211047598913430/?fref=ts

A squatting website I ask you? I have never know a squatting website to be asking for money to fund their lifestyle. DIY, yes? Do It Yourself.

[tree monkey]

Welcome Land!

 

(Can you lend me a tenner?)

 

 

But seriously, thanks for that long post. Gives an interesting insight into this chap, although it confirms what many of us have already decided about him.

 

He must have some personal charisma about him that makes gullible people hand over money.

He has just posted a link to the begging Web site on a Facebook site I am a member of.

I very politely suggested people should do some background checking before they hand over any cash, the mods took it down in the end

[Starcoaster]

I have it on good authority that his nickname among many London boaters is "PayPal." What a thoroughly committed con artist he truly is.

Edited September 3, 2015 by Starcoaster

[MtB]

Gopal - Paypal. yes, very droll!

(Or "Gopay" even...)

[David Mack]

Is money received in response to such an appeal taxable? And if so is Mr Gopal declaring this income to HMRC?

 

Just wondering...

[MtB]

This was raised earlier in the thread IIRC, and the answer was 'yes'.

[MtB]

He has just posted a link to the begging Web site on a Facebook site I am a member of.

I very politely suggested people should do some background checking before they hand over any cash, the mods took it down in the end

 

 

I don't understand how/why his begging posts persist on FB while negative and questioning posts get deleted. Why don't the mods delete his calls for money?

 

And has Mr Morgan deleted his re-tweet of the appeal yet?

[tree monkey]

 

 

I don't understand how/why his begging posts persist on FB while negative and questioning posts get deleted. Why don't the mods delete his calls for money?

 

And has Mr Morgan deleted his re-tweet of the appeal yet?

In this case the mods removed the begging post, the man did try to engage me in private chat in Facebook but I basically said good luck but go away.

One of his fans did pop up and try to support him but the thread got closed down fairly quickly

[mayalld]

Make of this what you like...

 

I randomly met Gopal once years ago. Seemed like a lovely fellow, was suppose to met up with him a few time, but he would bail at the last minute every time. The thing that bothered at every single point (other than the first meeting) he was asking for money from me. I mentioned I was interested in raw food and he would respond, such as oh I can teach that it will cost you £xx. He would send texts about classes and chat to me from time to time and on chat asking for donations. Never at any point did I say I was open to this instant commercialisation of every conversation. If you invite an Avon sales person into your home, you know what you are letting yourself up for. I wanted to be seen as a person, and soley as a money resource. I didn't understand where the sense of entitlement came from just because you had met me once to plug me for money at every opportunity.

 

In time I had explained that I had been made redundant from my job, that I was not coping to pay my own rent. Eventually I said to Gopal on chat that I had enough of the money asking. I was pleasantly surprised by his open response, words to the effect of "...If you have something to teach me, I am willing to listen..."

 

Next I got this email hitting me on my birthday for money to raise £20k, this was a few years ago. I never responded, and I never heard from him again...

 

 

£20k seems to be a magic number for him.

[LoneWolf]

Is money received in response to such an appeal taxable? And if so is Mr Gopal declaring this income to HMRC?

 

Just wondering...

 

 

This was raised earlier in the thread IIRC, and the answer was 'yes'.

 

To be pedantic, it was a different question (and iirc it wasn't a question but a statement made) that reckoned 'yes'

 

 

The informed answer to the question "Is money received in response to such an appeal taxable?" is 'it depends'

it depends on what DavidMack means by "such an appeal" and it also depends on other factors that we do not know