Woman lied for job at kids cancer charity – then faked her own cancer | UK | News

A woman’s behavior has been criticized as “truly disgusting” by the mother of a child whose tragic death inspired the children’s cancer charity she defrauded.

Claire Alderton, 48, of Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation on Friday, June 19. Alderton began working at George’s Rockstars in early 2024 and was tasked with providing two references from his previous employers.

He said he successfully applied for grants to the charity as part of his duty.

But he stopped going to work in December 2024 after telling his employer he had cancer.

Following this the charity was unable to contact him in any way.

It was at this point that Alderton’s lies began to emerge; The charity discovered that she had never applied for the scholarship she claimed to have received.

His references also turned out to be fake, and the referees said via LinkedIn that they had not written any of them.

He was later arrested and charged. He admitted committing fraud by false representation, using false references to obtain a job at a charity and benefiting financially from the process.

In court, it was revealed that his cancer diagnosis was a lie.

He was sentenced to two years in prison.

Charity co-founder Amy O’Shaughnessy set up the charity after losing her son George to Leukemia in 2019 and was both saddened and angry that Alderton’s lies were exposed.

“Targeting charities, gaining employment by deception and fabricating a cancer diagnosis for the mother and founder of an organization founded in memory of a child who bravely battled this disease is truly disgusting. Additionally, forging applications for funds to support seriously ill children in hospitals is a profound betrayal of the public trust.”

“Despite the seriousness of this scam, we have fought incredibly hard to ensure our support for children and families remains uninterrupted.

“For me personally, uncovering the depth of these lies has been emotionally devastating.

“We are deeply grateful to the police and justice system for their meticulous work in ensuring accountability and securing this conviction.”

PC Emma Thomas, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Central Fraud Unit, said she was “delighted with the outcome and to see Alderton behind bars”.

“His actions have caused both financial and emotional pain, and I hope prison will give him time to consider the consequences of his choices.”