A ROW has broken out over thousands of pounds raised for an unregistered veterans’ support group, with serious allegations of financial misconduct, unauthorised fundraising, and internal fallout between those involved.

The controversy centres around CAMP BATH, an informal veterans’ community operating without registered charity or company status. The group has recently come under scrutiny following a viral Facebook post by campaigner Eddy Cooper, who accused Darren Edmundson, also known as the “Pembrokeshire Patriot”, of taking £4,000 raised for the camp while controlling its donation accounts.

The post was shared over 2,000 times on social media and led to widespread public concern. However, it has since been described as “unauthorised and irresponsible” by Steve, a 73-year-old former Royal Marine who serves as second in command at the camp. Speaking anonymously to The Herald on April 17, Steve said: “The post put out by Eddy Cooper was done without authorisation from the camp. He did this of his own volition.”

Steve also denied claims that he had been “ripped off” by Edmundson, stating: “That accusation is false — because that is me.” He added that at the time, he remained in contact with Darren, who he said was “in Pembrokeshire on welfare business.”

However, Jo Drayson, who co-runs the camp with her husband Dion, alleges that more money may be missing, but did not provide specigics.

She claims Edmundson removed her as a signatory on the camp’s SumUp fundraising account and changed the login details, locking out other members.

In a series of private messages seen by The Herald, Darren defended his actions, insisting the funds are still there and that he could not access the account himself without a valid passport. He stated: “I was the only one with qualifications. All the funds were raised by my show — The Late Night Veterans Show.”

Company records confirm that Late Night Veterans Show Ltd was registered by Edmundson and used to open the business account that controlled donations. This arrangement was described by Darren himself as “a loophole”, since CAMP BATH is not a registered charity, company or CIC, and therefore has no formal legal standing.

Jo, meanwhile, says that she contacted Avon and Somerset Police, who advised that the dispute might be a civil matter, as Darren was legally authorised to access the account at the time. Nevertheless, she has raised concerns about transparency and accountability, particularly as the funds were solicited from the public for what donors understood to be a veterans’ cause.

The situation has been further complicated by personal tensions between key figures. Jo has accused campaigner Eddy Cooper of physical assault, which he denies. Darren, for his part, claims he left the camp temporarily due to family court proceedings and returned to find himself publicly vilified.

“The truth is I ran that place well,” he wrote. “I left, and it all went tits up.”

The Herald understands that access to the disputed SumUp account remains unresolved. Jo and her daughter have reportedly been unable to regain control of it since Darren allegedly changed the details, and there has been no formal audit of where the funds have gone.

A spokesperson for SumUp did not respond to a request for comment at the time of going to press.

The case has highlighted the dangers of operating community support groups without legal registration, safeguards, or financial oversight. Without charity or company status, there is no regulatory body overseeing CAMP BATH’s finances, leaving donors, volunteers, and vulnerable veterans exposed.

Pictured:

Darren Edmundson, also known as the “Pembrokeshire Patriot”