Henry Bonsu Justice Fund
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Friends,
I need your help.
As many of you know, I’ve been unfairly pursued by HSBC after I was tricked into signing a personal guarantee (PG) document on behalf of Colourful Radio – a soul music and speech station I supported for years.
When the business went under, the bank did not seek payment from others but has been determined to extract it from me because I am in the most vulnerable position. Their team of expensive lawyers has refused to see reason. They are now determined to go to trial on 26th November at Central London County Court, to extract as much money as possible. If I lose the total, including costs could run into six figures.
Mine is a true case of David v Goliath - something that I believe many of you can identify with, especially when it comes to dealing with certain banks. HSBC hoped that their expensive lawyers and deep pockets would make it impossible for me to defend myself, but I've fought them for five years. I have to admit it's been exhausting, demoralising and financially draining.
I have started this GoFundMe page to ask people to support me against a serious injustice. Please give what you can. Even if you can only donate a small amount it would mean a lot to me. And it would let HSBC know that, I am not standing alone - if pushed we will support each other and stand together.
I realise there are many people who will wonder why I think the situation is unfair if I signed a PG. But once I explain the basic facts, it quickly becomes clear: I was misled into signing the guarantee and, worse still, at the time the bank were aware (or, at the very least, should have been aware) of what was happening to me. They are trying to profit from an injustice they let happen.
It was my then boss, Colourful’s founder, who persuaded me to join him in signing PGs of £30K each. He informed me the bank was about to withdraw its overdraft, which would have closed the only African-Caribbean-owned station of its kind. I acted in good faith and trusted I was being told the truth. However, the founder's real intention was to get the bank to increase Colourful’s overdraft from £30K to £60K so the station could launch on Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB). That move eventually caused the collapse of the company.
We both signed the guarantees on 10th March 2009 at HSBC’s Albert Embankment branch in front of an official, who took our ID, and photocopied our passports and witnessed our signatures. But in its determination to reject my defence of undue influence HSBC now claims Colourful’s founder did not sign anything and may not have been there, even though its own witness admits I was accompanied. It’s truly Alice in Wonderland stuff! The man himself has confirmed on social media that he signed the same guarantee as me at the same time. HSBC refuses to accept this, and has pursued only me for payment. This has allowed Colourful's founder to relaunch the station debt free, while I've been left holding the baby.
Friends, I've been well and truly stitched up. I've reported what's happened to several banking watchdogs, including the Financial Ombudsman, and to Action Fraud, but these agencies move very slowly. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, so I'm asking for your help.
If I win my case or if HSBC settles beforehand, after taking care of legal expenses, I will give the rest to justice and/or education-related causes, because I realise now more than ever just what we're up against.
Thanks so much,
Henry Bonsu
https://archive.voice-online.co.uk/article/henry-bonsus-hsbc-battle
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/storm-clouds-gather-over-business-banking-resolution-service-grcpmk5b3
I need your help.
As many of you know, I’ve been unfairly pursued by HSBC after I was tricked into signing a personal guarantee (PG) document on behalf of Colourful Radio – a soul music and speech station I supported for years.
When the business went under, the bank did not seek payment from others but has been determined to extract it from me because I am in the most vulnerable position. Their team of expensive lawyers has refused to see reason. They are now determined to go to trial on 26th November at Central London County Court, to extract as much money as possible. If I lose the total, including costs could run into six figures.
Mine is a true case of David v Goliath - something that I believe many of you can identify with, especially when it comes to dealing with certain banks. HSBC hoped that their expensive lawyers and deep pockets would make it impossible for me to defend myself, but I've fought them for five years. I have to admit it's been exhausting, demoralising and financially draining.
I have started this GoFundMe page to ask people to support me against a serious injustice. Please give what you can. Even if you can only donate a small amount it would mean a lot to me. And it would let HSBC know that, I am not standing alone - if pushed we will support each other and stand together.
I realise there are many people who will wonder why I think the situation is unfair if I signed a PG. But once I explain the basic facts, it quickly becomes clear: I was misled into signing the guarantee and, worse still, at the time the bank were aware (or, at the very least, should have been aware) of what was happening to me. They are trying to profit from an injustice they let happen.
It was my then boss, Colourful’s founder, who persuaded me to join him in signing PGs of £30K each. He informed me the bank was about to withdraw its overdraft, which would have closed the only African-Caribbean-owned station of its kind. I acted in good faith and trusted I was being told the truth. However, the founder's real intention was to get the bank to increase Colourful’s overdraft from £30K to £60K so the station could launch on Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB). That move eventually caused the collapse of the company.
We both signed the guarantees on 10th March 2009 at HSBC’s Albert Embankment branch in front of an official, who took our ID, and photocopied our passports and witnessed our signatures. But in its determination to reject my defence of undue influence HSBC now claims Colourful’s founder did not sign anything and may not have been there, even though its own witness admits I was accompanied. It’s truly Alice in Wonderland stuff! The man himself has confirmed on social media that he signed the same guarantee as me at the same time. HSBC refuses to accept this, and has pursued only me for payment. This has allowed Colourful's founder to relaunch the station debt free, while I've been left holding the baby.
Friends, I've been well and truly stitched up. I've reported what's happened to several banking watchdogs, including the Financial Ombudsman, and to Action Fraud, but these agencies move very slowly. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, so I'm asking for your help.
If I win my case or if HSBC settles beforehand, after taking care of legal expenses, I will give the rest to justice and/or education-related causes, because I realise now more than ever just what we're up against.
Thanks so much,
Henry Bonsu
https://archive.voice-online.co.uk/article/henry-bonsus-hsbc-battle
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/storm-clouds-gather-over-business-banking-resolution-service-grcpmk5b3
Organizer
Henry Bonsu
Organizer