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It's official: Shane Warne confirms his controversial charity is closing.

 

Shane Warne’s philanthropic efforts have ground to a halt today, with the former cricketer announcing the embattled Shane Warne Foundation is “ceasing operations”.

The organisation, which was set up in 2004 to raise funds for ill and underprivileged children, was recently audited by the consumer watchdog following allegations of financial mismanagement late last year.

“In response to recent, unwarranted speculation about The Shane Warne Foundation and its distribution of funds, we confirm we have distributed $3.67 million to date with an additional and final substantial cheque to be distributed on March 18, 2016,” an official statement released this afternoon explained.

“At that time, we hope to have distributed over $4 million dollars.”

The statement, which can be read in full on Warne’s Facebook page, announced that the Foundation had already begun the process of closing down, but urged their “many incredible achievements” not be forgotten.

Someone who has helped raise money for the organisation told Mamamia: “My friends and I did the Melbourne Marathon last year. Most of the money raised went to Shane Warne’s foundation. I truly wonder where that money went.”

“My friends and I did the Melbourne Marathon last year. Most of the money raised went to Shane Warne’s foundation. I truly wonder where that money went.”

In November last year, The Sunday Age revealed that of $1.8 million raised in three years, on average, as little as 16 cents of every dollar was reaching charitable organisations.

They also reported that, according to financial records, the majority of funds were being funnelled into “staging glitzy celebrity events and employing a member of the cricketing great’s family.”

For example, Warnie’s brother Jason was being paid a salary of $80,000 a year and yet only dispersed around $54,000 to beneficiaries.

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The documents also revealed a whopping $300,000 was spent on catering, alcohol, merchandise and prizes for the events — over the same period the Foundation was posting financial losses.

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Shane Warne at one of the Foundation’s charity poker events. Image via Getty.

The backlash has been swift and brutal, with many taking to social media to express their anger at the cricketer.

“Everything was done so properly and well that you’re closing immediately after a request for an audit. Nothing suss,” a commenter wrote on Warne’s Facebook post.

Another wrote: “Great work Warney. That should put out the fire that this entire foundation was a sham. #bowledshane” 

Many Twitter users simply weighed in with snide commentary:

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