Cinquefoil Trust: The MI5 charity shrouded in secrecy

Should I have heard of it?

Not unless you are a former member of MI5. The charity is shrouded in as much secrecy as the security agency itself; it has existed for many years, raising money to support intelligence agents injured in the line of duty.

Sounds intriguing

They’ve been holding book sales, snooker tournaments and raffles but due to the nature of their work, it has generally been kept top secret, and the events have been internal only.

Donations have gone towards wheelchairs and house alterations for those who were injured as part of their work for MI5 (or the Secret Service, London HQ pictured above).

How was its cover blown?

A rise in bequests and donations in the past few years has convinced MI5 to register the trust with the Charity Commission.

It won’t be funded by the taxpayer, but will be open to public donations. When Prince Charles requested that funds raised from the premiere of the James Bond film Skyfall in 2012 go to MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, the trust received a donation too.

So what do we know?

Not much. It was registered on 4 June, but has no email, website or telephone number on its listings. It simply states the PO Box address it shares with MI5.