Claire Alderton, 48, from Portsmouth, has been sentenced to two years in prison for defrauding a children's cancer charity by lying about having cancer and creating fake references. She pleaded guilty on Friday, 19 June, to fraud by false representation.
How the Fraud Unfolded
Alderton began working at George's Rockstars in early 2024, a charity founded by Amy O'Shaughnessy after her son George died of leukaemia in 2019. As part of her role, Alderton was required to provide two references from previous employers and claimed she had successfully submitted grant applications.
In December 2024, she stopped attending work after telling her employer she had cancer. The charity then lost contact with her entirely.
Lies Uncovered
The charity discovered that Alderton had never applied for the grant she claimed to have submitted. Her references were also forged; the supposed referees confirmed via LinkedIn that they had not written any references for her. Alderton was arrested and charged, admitting to using fake references to gain employment and financial benefit. In court, it was revealed that her cancer diagnosis was also fabricated.
Impact on Charity and Founder
Amy O'Shaughnessy, co-founder of George's Rockstars, expressed her distress: "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."
She added: "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."
Police Response
PC Emma Thomas from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Central Fraud Unit commented: "I am pleased with the result and to see Alderton behind bars. Her actions have caused both financial and emotional suffering, and I hope that prison gives her time to reflect on the consequences of her choices."
Alderton was sentenced to two years imprisonment for her crimes.
