A group opposed to same-sex marriage has removed an online appeal for campaign funds after a request from the Charities Commission.

Preserve Marriage was seeking donations on its website to “succeed” in its “mandate to preserve marriage in our country”.

The group, which registered as a limited liability company on December 29 last year, gave a Butterfield bank account number into which people could deposit funds.

The appeal was brought to the attention of the Charity Commissioners, as well as Registrar General Aubrey Pennyman, by members of the public concerned it was in breach of the Charities Act 2014, which limits fundraising activities to registered charities.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Home Affairs said: “The Charities Commission considered the matter of Preserve Marriage soliciting funds from the public.

“It was the commissioners’ view that, as Preserve Marriage was neither a registered charity nor did it have a temporary fundraising licence, the group could not solicit funds from the public.

“The Charities Commission communicated this view to the principals who accepted the concerns raised and have acted accordingly.”

Preserve Marriage chairman Melvyn Bassett told this newspaper: “It was pulled and it has been corrected.”

He said some money was raised internally among members, but he did not think any donations were received via the website.

Dr Bassett said the majority of the group’s funding came from churches, along with individual donations from members.

The online appeal said any donations would be an investment towards:

• preserving marriage between men and women “because children need both a mom and dad”;

• “ensuring a few do not decide for the many”; and

• “ensuring the public knows the truth about this debate”.

This newspaper has obtained a list of Preserve Marriage’s board of directors and officers, as well as its limited members register.

Former school principal Dr Bassett is a director, along with deputy chairman Gary Simons, from Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, and treasurer Mark Hall, from Word of Life Fellowship. Lawyer Kyle Masters is the secretary.

The register of members lists two others: Joseph Furbert, also from Cornerstone, and Noel Pearman.