TWO York charity workers have spoken of their relief at being cleared in a police investigation into finances.

The pair, a 56-year-old man and 59-year-old woman, were released without charge after a “detailed financial investigation” into the Jack Raine Foundation, which has helped scores of troubled young people in the York area.

The two have now put out a statement via a spokesman for the charity, saying they hope this is “the end of the matter”.

They said: “After a thorough investigation by the police of the charity’s finance, and our personal finances over many years, the allegations were deemed untrue and no crime committed by us.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the police for the thorough and professional way they led the investigation.”

Although the police investigation has been concluded, the Charity Commission last week confirmed it was still carrying out its own investigation.

The Jack Raine Foundation will be working with the commission on improvements, the statement said.

“Small charities are sometimes led by the heart and not the head, with the focus on the good work they do,” the pair added.

It was a relief to now face life without the stresses caused by the allegations and the investigation, they said.

“It is with true regret and sadness we will no longer continue to personally support the children and community as we did. The work was vital for a city like York as services for children and vulnerable people buckle under the strains of cut backs.

"We hope we made a difference to all those we supported.”

The pair thanked all those who offered them support throughout the investigation, as well as people who had supported the charity, the organisation’s “invaluable” Child Sexual Exploitation Team and the coaches from York Boxing Club.

The Press revealed in June that the charity, which provided boxing and martial arts tuition, and a wider range of educational courses and activities for young people, was under investigation, after the charity commission and police raised concerns over finances and records.