A VOLUNTEER from East Lancashire has appeared in court accused of trying to defraud the BBC’s Children In Need appeal.

Mohammed Safraz, 49, who ran a grants consultancy, is alleged to have illegally helped a range of clients to secure funds from the annual TV fundraiser.

He was a regional volunteer for Children In Need’s north-west committee at the time, it has been confirmed.

Safraz, of Hartley Street, Nelson, has been suspended from his job as a children’s trust co-ordinator for Lancashire County Council.

But his alleged offending is said to have been connected with his role with TMS Consultancy (Lancashire) Ltd, which is registered with Companies House at his home address.

Safraz is accused of fraud between September 1, 2008, and July 31, 2010, while being a regional committee member of Children In Need.

He is said to have made a gain by ensuring that organisations he had a ‘commercial relationship’ with, received funds.

Burnley magistrates have directed crown court trial on the charge and Sarfraz is currently on bail.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman confirmed that Sarfraz is a children’s trust co-ordinator, working with trusts across East Lancashire.

“He has been suspended, without prejudice, pending the outcome of the proceedings,” added the spokesman.

A BBC Children in Need spokesman also confirmed that Safraz had been involved with their north-west committee.

“We can also confirm that he no longer has a relationship with the Children In Need appeal,” she added.

TMS Consultancy (Lancashire) which was established in Leeds in February 2008, moved to Nelson a month later. The organisation represents clients making grant funding applications.