Botulism family still waiting for payment

The family at the center of a life-threatening poisoning still has not received $ 60,000 amassed by a church.

Shibu Kochummen was interviewed by St Thomas Marthoma Church of New Zealand

The church wants the father of two to confirm that there was an "immediate" need for remaining funds.

The Vice President of the Church, Naveen Eapen, said that the Christian congregation felt compelled to explain to those who gave the call, who has raised $ 102,364 for the Putaruru family hit, whereupon the money was spent.

Eapen said the church also asked for clarification

Kochummen, 36, his mother Alekutty Daniel, 65, and his wife Subi Babu, 34, were stricken with vomiting, convulsions and paralysis in November of last year, a few hours after eating wild boar.

They spent weeks in intensive care in comas before recovering. Botulism was finally ruled out after negative tests and the cause is still unknown.

Before ACC approved Daniel's cover, which is not a New Zealand citizen, a Givealittle fund was created by the Hamilton Marthoma Church and nearly $ 30,000 [19659002] An additional $ 70,000 was donated to the church following a separate fundraising initiative and the $ 42,520 released in January allowed the family to fly to India where their two young children, aged 7 and 1 year, were supported. ] Eapen stated that some who made a donation to the call had asked what was the money for after the ACC agreed to cover Daniel's treatment costs

"We have said that we had no evidence of the use of the fund because, but what remains is to be transferred on behalf of the children so that it is simply used for children, for their long-term future term. "

He sought the approval of Kochummen to set up a term deposit for money and said the [1 9459005] Herald it would be a five-year term, but Kochummen returned the request to his lawyer.

"We even went to the Charities Commission to ask ourselves if there was a responsibility to us.

"Our challenge is that if people come in and ask what the money is for, we have no evidence of anything.

The church would not use money for other activities and she was sitting in an account under the name Kochummen.

"Shibu will receive his money but we will have a tarnished reputation."

A spokesman for The Kochummen Family and Church Member, Joji Varghese, said he objected to the constitution of a term deposit

" Who died and made the church the executor of these funds? "

Kochummen stated that the coverage of ACC was over. he was still suffering from body pains and his wife had a numbness in one hand, both had returned to work – even though Bab

He said the money would help with ongoing treatment and family support but he would not ask for it.

"I've never asked for money, I'm not that kind of person."

Interior Affairs Spokesman, Steve Corbett, confirmed that he was preparing advice for the church about the release of money

he added that internal affairs examined the details of the case.

"But in general, an organization Charity can not obtain funds and then use them for something that is not considered charitable under the [Charities] Act, for example for a private benefit. "