The UK's fundraising regulator has launched a formal investigation into claims charity fundraisers contributed to the death of a 92-year-old woman

The Fundraising Standards Board has announced that it has begun an investigation into allegations that 92-year-old Olive Cooke was overwhelmed by fundraising requests.

Alistair McLean, chief executive of the Fundraising Standards Board, revealed that it would examine the details of the case which allegedly saw Mrs Cooke receive 180 letters a week from charities.

“We are deeply saddened by reports that Mrs Cooke felt overwhelmed by charity fundraising requests," McLean said today.

"We acknowledge that fundraising is thought to have been one of a number of factors that is said to have caused her some distress in recent months.

"The Fundraising Standards Board will investigate these allegations and has already made contact with Mrs Cooke’s representatives. We are also encouraging the public to speak to charities if they have any concerns or to get in touch with us so that we can address those issues.”

The news comes after the Institute of Fundraising said it would review of its Code of Fundraising practice and guidance in light of the case.

The FRSB regulates charity fundraising against the standards set out in the Institute of Fundraising’s Code of Fundraising Practice.

McLean said it would look into whether any charity was in breach of existing standards.

“If a charity breaches these standards, we consider it a serious matter and we will work to investigate such issues and to hold charities to account," he said. "We also work closely with regulators like the ICO where any potential breaches of data protection law are identified.”