Sarah's Trust to close after new Epstein emails

Sarah’s Trust, the charity founded by Sarah Ferguson, says it will “shortly close for the foreseeable future.” The statement was issued on 3 February 2026, with the charity adding that this course had been under discussion for months. The timing follows fresh attention on Ferguson’s past communications with Jeffrey Epstein. (news.sky.com)

Why now? On 30 January 2026 the U.S. Department of Justice released more than three million additional pages of Epstein-related material under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, taking the public total to nearly 3.5 million pages and including over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. (justice.gov)

Within those documents are emails in which Ferguson addresses Epstein in warm terms and remains in contact after his 2008 conviction. Being named in or corresponding within official files is not, by itself, evidence of a crime, but it does raise questions for any charity that relies on public trust. (apnews.com)

The latest release also included photographs that appear to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on all fours over a woman whose face is obscured; he has consistently and strenuously denied wrongdoing. His name appears elsewhere in the files alongside messages about meetings in London around 2010. (forbes.com)

This scrutiny comes after a difficult autumn. In September 2025 at least seven organisations said they would no longer work with Ferguson as patron or ambassador, including Julia’s House, Teenage Cancer Trust, Prevent Breast Cancer, The Children’s Literacy Charity, the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and the British Heart Foundation. Each cited reputational concerns. (itv.com)

If you supported Sarah’s Trust, it helps to know what the charity has done. Launched in 2020, it promoted grants and in-kind support to projects in the UK and overseas, including pandemic relief and aid linked to the war in Ukraine, according to its own materials. (en.wikipedia.org)

What does “closing for the foreseeable future” mean in practice? In England and Wales, trustees deciding to close must plan the wind‑down, settle debts, deal properly with any remaining assets, communicate with beneficiaries and partners, and notify the Charity Commission. Whether Sarah’s Trust is pausing activity or fully winding up will become clear as the trustees take those formal steps. (gov.uk)

If you donated, your money should still be used for charitable purposes. Restricted funds must go to the purpose originally stated, or be transferred to a suitable charity with a similar aim. Final records should be kept for at least six years, and charities are expected to explain what happened to remaining assets. (gov.uk)

Many readers ask about “patrons” versus “trustees.” A patron is a public supporter without management powers. Trustees, by contrast, carry legal duties: acting in the charity’s best interests, managing resources responsibly and protecting reputation. When controversies erupt, it is trustees-not patrons-who must make and justify decisions. (thirdsector.co.uk)

Trustees are expected to identify and manage risks, including reputational risk from close links to public figures. Good governance means clear appointment letters for patrons, defined exit clauses, regular risk reviews and a plan for rapid, careful communication if problems arise. Sector guidance stresses planning and proportional decision‑making rather than panic. (gov.uk)

A quick media‑literacy note for your classroom or common room: a massive document dump can mix verified evidence with untested claims, and heavy redactions can obscure context. U.S. reporting has already highlighted disputes about what was released, what was withheld and how victims’ privacy is protected. Reading primary documents alongside credible reporting is key. (washingtonpost.com)

What happens next? We wait to see whether Sarah’s Trust files closure paperwork or opts for a pause before any potential relaunch. Either way, the case is a live lesson in charity governance: your mission depends on public confidence, and that confidence rests on how well trustees anticipate risk, act promptly, and explain their decisions. (gov.uk)