Money raised at a grandmother’s funeral for a charity dear to her heart is thought to have been lost to a tradesman who failed to deliver.
And Waves Daycare Centre, Slaithwaite, has been forced to shelve plans for a sensory garden after floor fitter Gary Connor left the good cause high and dry.
About £800 was raised for Waves at the funeral of Kay Evans, who died last year.
Mrs Evans, 89, of Thirsk, was a longtime supporter of the centre for adults with learning difficulties, which was attended by her grandson George Hirst, of Scapegoat Hill.
Waves paid Gary Connor an £825 ‘deposit’ for Astroturf for the garden, on June 12.
And two weeks later Waves chief executive Sally-Anne Green ordered a laminate floor for her autistic stepdaughter’s bedroom from Connor’s now defunct Allfloors Huddersfield Ltd.
But Connor, of Slaithwaite, failed to deliver after a series of no-shows and excuses.
And neither Waves nor Ms Green have been able to recoup their money despite repeated promises from Connor to refund them.
Ms Green said: “People have raised money for that and now we’ll have to find the money all over again.
“It’s absolutely disgraceful to do that.
“This is a garden for people with profound sensory needs. He clearly has no feelings for other people.
“Having to tell Mrs Evans’ family was awful.”
Ms Green added: “Louise, my stepdaughter, has bare floorboards in her bedroom and her room is a mess because we were waiting for him to deliver the flooring.
“She’s very distressed about it because her autism makes change very stressful for her.”
Connor's former company is believed to have owed thousands to former customers after taking deposits but failing to deliver their goods.
Allfloors Huddersfield Ltd folded on July 1 when Connor’s directorship of the Slaithwaite-based company was terminated.
Records show Connor and companies he ran have at least eight county court judgements against them for almost £19,000 of unpaid debts dating back to 2009.
This includes an unpaid debt of £3,806 owed by Allfloors Huddersfield Ltd.
Connor declared himself insolvent two years ago.
The Examiner contacted Connor. He said: “I’m not a crook. The business has been a disaster. The company has not done what it was anticipated to do.
“I’m going to make sure everyone gets their deposits.”
Connor added he would refund Waves ‘as soon as’.
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