Claim: A taxpayer-funded charity in London used public money to take 70 migrants to the seaside. Verdict: ❌ False The trip was privately funded through donations, not taxpayers’ money.
The Viral Claim
In early October 2025, a series of viral social media posts circulated across Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and other platforms, alleging that a London-based charity had used taxpayer funds to organize a seaside trip for migrants. One particular post, viewed over 169,000 times on X, claimed that “Hammersmith & Fulham Council is £260 million in debt, has raised council tax by 4.7%, and yet handed £350,000 to a charity taking illegal migrants on day trips.” The post was accompanied by a screenshot of a Daily Mail headline describing West London Welcome a charity that supports refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants as a “taxpayer-funded charity” that gave “70 migrants a seaside day out to get over the trauma of small boat crossings.”
These claims quickly gained traction online, amplified by accounts using anti-immigrant rhetoric and populist talking points. Many users expressed outrage over the supposed misuse of public funds, framing the event as an example of government waste and misplaced priorities. However, the underlying assumption of the claim that public money was used for the seaside trip is demonstrably false.
The Facts
The seaside trip in question took place in July 2025 in Margate, and was organized by West London Welcome to provide recreational relief and community bonding opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers. According to official statements and financial records, the trip was entirely funded through private donations, not public money.
A spokesperson for the charity confirmed this in a written response to CyberPoe X, stating that “No taxpayer money is used for our trips the local government funding we have received has been restricted for other charity purposes. This trip, like all our others, was funded by private donations.”
The organization’s 2024 Annual Report further supports this statement, showing a total income of £359,836, the vast majority of which came from private donors and charitable grants. Only around £20,000 of this total was received from local government sources and crucially, those funds were specifically allocated for language support and welfare programs, not recreational activities.
Council Funding Breakdown
Contrary to the viral £350,000 figure shared online, the Hammersmith & Fulham Council did not hand over any such amount to the charity. In reality, the council provided two small-scale grants: £5,000 to fund an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) coordinator, and £15,717 via H&F Giving, a local charitable network that distributes mixed public-private funding for migrant welfare initiatives during winter.
Both funding streams were tied to specific educational and welfare activities. None of the funds were directed toward travel, leisure, or seaside trips. A council spokesperson reaffirmed to CyberPoe X that “no council money was used for the Margate trip” and that “no new funds have been allocated to West London Welcome since the 2023/24 financial year.”
Correction by the Daily Mail
The misinformation appears to have originated from a Daily Mail article that initially carried the headline: “Taxpayer-funded charity gave 70 migrants a seaside day out to get over trauma of small boat crossing.” Following public scrutiny and clarifications from the charity, the outlet later edited the headline to remove the phrase “taxpayer-funded,” acknowledging that the claim was inaccurate. The revised version now refers to West London Welcome simply as “a charity,” noting that while it received limited council support for unrelated welfare projects, no public money was spent on the trip itself.
When approached for comment, the Daily Mail declined to respond. However, West London Welcome reiterated its stance that “the seaside trip, like all community activities we organize, is funded through voluntary donations from individuals and partner organizations.”
CyberPoe X Analysis
This case demonstrates how selective presentation of financial data can fuel misinformation. A small amount of legitimate local government funding unrelated to the event in question was exaggerated into a false narrative about taxpayer money being spent on leisure trips for migrants. Such distortions are often shared to provoke public anger and advance anti-migrant sentiments online.
Financial documents, council statements, and direct responses from the charity make it clear that no taxpayer funds were used for the Margate trip. The viral claim conflated separate financial figures to construct a misleading story, which was later amplified by media framing before being quietly corrected.
CyberPoe X Verdict
After reviewing the evidence, CyberPoe X concludes that the claim is entirely false. The seaside trip organized by West London Welcome was funded through private donations, while the Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s limited contribution was earmarked for language and welfare programs unrelated to travel.
This incident underscores how easily misinformation can spread when partial truths and outdated financial figures are repurposed without context. It highlights the growing need for media literacy and responsible reporting, especially on topics involving refugees and public spending both frequent targets of disinformation campaigns.
Final Verdict: ❌ False
The claim that taxpayers funded a seaside day trip for migrants is untrue. The event was privately financed, and no public funds were used.
CyberPoe | The Anti-Propaganda Frontline
