Keith Lemon criticises websites selling fake Caroline Flack charity T-shirts

Keith Lemon has criticised online retailers for selling fake versions of the T-shirts he created for charity in the wake of Caroline Flack‘s death.

Last week, the comedian – whose real name is Leigh Francis – unveiled his design of a black T-shirt with a print of Flack’s face on it above the words: “be kind!”

“Like everyone I was absolutely shocked by the news of what happened to Caroline,” Lemon said in a statement announcing the £25 T-shirts, which he created to raise money for The Samaritans, which provide emotional support to those battling suicidal thoughts.

“All the recent events just seemed so unreal,” he said. “I’d been friends with Caroline for many years, since before telly happened. In more recent times I’d not seen Caroline as much as I had years ago, but it was always like old times when I saw her.”

On Saturday 15 February, Flack passed away at the age of 40, having taken her own life.

So far, more than 11,000 of Lemon’s T-shirts have been sold.

But just a few days after the T-shirts went on sale, Lemon claimed he had seen counterfeit versions, whose profits would presumably not be donated to charity, circulating online.

“Thanks so much to everyone who’s bought a T-shirt for Be Kind. Unfortunately, there’s a website called Teespring.com that’s ripped off the design and unless they’re going to give that money to The Samaritans, then they’ve stolen my design and taken that money that would’ve gone to The Samaritans,” he said.

Lemon added in another post that the company had since removed the fake T-shirts, uploading the following statement sent to him by Teespring: “Teespring is a user-generated platform and all designs are created by independent individuals. In response to your recent post, we have ensured the seller’s account has been disabled.”

But more fake versions of the T-shirt have surfaced online via other websites.

To make followers aware of the counterfeits, Lemon has been posting screenshots from the websites on Instagram, urging people not to buy the tops from these retailers.

On Tuesday evening, Lemon posted a video on Instagram explaining that one of the people who had been selling fake T-shirts on eBay had got in touch with him to clarify that they would donate the profits to The Samaritans.

“Let’s hope he’s telling the truth,” Lemon said.

“Just a shame that some people are trying to make some money out of what’s happened.”

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

For services local to you, the national mental health database – Hub of Hope – allows you to enter your postcode to search for organisations and charities who offer mental health advice and support in your area.

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