Made in Chelsea star Binky Felstead and representatives for children’s charity Barnardo’s have hit back at claims she was paid £20,000 to front a new campaign – but admit that £3,000 changed hands.
Felstead, 24, took to Twitter this morning to refute claims made in The Sun regarding a fee of £20,000 for her involvement with the charity, saying: “Horrified at the total lies in the Sun both for me and Barnados, sick!” [SIC]
Horrified at the total lies in the Sun both for me and Barnados, sick!
— Alexandra Felstead (@BinkyFelstead) February 15, 2015
Representatives for the charity also slammed the report, but admitted that the reality TV star was paid £3,000 for her role in the campaign.
.@TheSunNewspaper front pge incorrect. Our retail trading arm operates in commercial environment & is paying £3k for @BinkyFelstead campaign — Barnardo’s (@barnardos) February 15, 2015
The @BinkyFelstead campaign was 2 test the impact of a popular celeb 4 new audiences. Not a decision we took lightly:http://t.co/GVo1mAxkUg
— Barnardo’s (@barnardos) February 16, 2015
A Barnardo’s spokesperson said: “The Sun front page is incorrect. The cost of the campaign is £3,000. “This is the first time we had agreed to pay a celebrity for a retail campaign. We have had to postpone some previous retail campaigns as we have been unable to secure the right celebrity backing. This was a way of testing the impact of a popular celebrity in order to appeal to a new, wider audience. This was not a decision we took lightly. “Barnardo’s retail shops are part of the charity’s trading arm and as such operate in a commercial environment. We are soon to launch a new campaign to encourage much needed donations to our shops. “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.” 
Despite the clarification, the decision to spend funds on a celebrity ambassador has angered many.
@barnardos @BinkyFelstead Frankly whoever made THE decision needs to think about it clearly. Goodbye last time I give Barnado’s anything
— John Lilburne (@PatriotMarc) February 16, 2015
@barnardos @BinkyFelstead people gave you that money to help children. Not to line the pockets of celebrities. I’ll never give to you again.
— Museum Man (@notanormallife) February 16, 2015
@barnardos @BinkyFelstead she shouldve done the campaign for FREE as its for CHARITY? Im sure shes not short of cash?
