Claire Alderton, 48, from Portsmouth, has been sentenced to two years in prison after faking a cancer diagnosis and defrauding a charity established in memory of a child who died from leukaemia. Alderton pleaded guilty to committing fraud by false representation by dishonestly providing two false references to gain employment at George's Rockstars, a charity that provides music therapy to seriously ill children in hospitals.
How the Fraud Unfolded
Alderton was appointed as trusts and foundations fundraiser for George's Rockstars in June 2024. During her employment, she falsely claimed to have submitted applications for grants as part of her role. In December 2024, she told her employer that she had been diagnosed with cancer and stopped attending work, subsequently ceasing all communication with the charity.
The charity contacted the foundation from which Alderton claimed to have secured a grant, only to discover that no application had ever been made. Further investigation revealed that the references Alderton provided were fake, including emails allegedly from her referees. When the charity contacted the referees via LinkedIn, they confirmed they had not written the references and that the emails were fraudulent.
Impact on the Charity and Its Founder
Amy O'Shaughnessy, co-founder of George's Rockstars, which was set up after her son George died from leukaemia in 2019, expressed her outrage. She stated: "To target charities, secure employment through deception, and fabricate a cancer diagnosis to the mother and founder of an organisation established in memory of a child who bravely fought that very disease is truly abhorrent. Furthermore, to falsify funding applications meant to support seriously ill children in hospitals is a profound betrayal of public trust."
O'Shaughnessy added that the charity has faced immense demand for its services, but Alderton's fraudulent actions forced her to work tirelessly to prevent George's legacy from being undermined. "We have fought incredibly hard to ensure that, despite the gravity of this deception, our support for children and families remains uninterrupted. Personally, uncovering the sheer depth of these lies has been emotionally devastating. A custodial sentence is the absolute least she deserves for exploiting the charity sector and the vulnerabilities of a grieving family."
Police and Court Proceedings
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "In December 2024, Alderton told her employer that she had been diagnosed with cancer and stopped attending work, she then stopped responding to any contact from the charity. The charity contacted the foundation that Alderton said she had secured a grant from, only to find out that no application had ever been made. They then made contact with Alderton's referees through LinkedIn, who informed them that they did not write the references she had provided, and that the emails which were allegedly from them were fake."
Alderton was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation. The police and justice system were commended by O'Shaughnessy for their rigorous work in ensuring accountability and securing the conviction.
