TWO struggling charities have amalgamated in a bid to move forward - and the controversial trustee of one of them has resigned.
North Dorset Volunteer and Community Action has been at the centre of a storm since outgoing trustee Mike Oram was convicted on two counts of downloading child pornography in the spring.
An acrimonious employment tribunal followed and funders withheld money from the charity, which provides a volunteer bureau and IT training for the community.
Meanwhile Shaftesbury Online, which offers similar training, found itself in financial difficulties.
Announcing his resignation at its AGM, Mr Oram told the Blandford-based NDVCA that six new trustees - including two from Shaftesbury Online - had come forward.
NDVCA worker Michelle Hepple paid an emotional tribute to Mr Oram who put his own money into the cash-strapped charity, the accounts reveal.
She said he was the hardest working chairman ever.
"You have put your own life on hold, trying to get deadlines met," she said.
Ms Hepple made it clear that the team had tried to stop him standing down.
First published: Sept 30
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