Woman jailed for defrauding charity after faking cancer diagnosis

Claire Alderton has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud charges. Alderton, 48, from Portsmouth, fabricated references, including using fake emails, to secure a position as trusts and foundations fundraiser at the charity George's Rockstars in June 2024.

During her employment, she falsely claimed to have submitted grant applications. In December 2024, Alderton informed her employer that she had been diagnosed with cancer and subsequently stopped attending work and responding to contact from the charity. Investigations by the charity revealed that no grant applications had been made and that the references provided were fake.

Amy O'Shaughnessy, co-founder of George's Rockstars, described Alderton's actions as 'truly abhorrent' and a 'profound betrayal of public trust,' particularly given the charity was established in memory of her son who died of leukemia. O'Shaughnessy highlighted the emotional devastation caused by the deception and the tireless efforts required to maintain the charity's services.

Detective Constable Emma Thomas of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's Central Fraud Unit stated that Alderton deserved to face justice for targeting the charity sector for personal gain, noting the financial and emotional suffering her actions caused.