A heartless former hospice nurse who embezzled thousands of pounds from a disabled children’s charity to fund his out-of-control gambling habit has managed to avoid a jail sentence. Alan Thorburn, a volunteer for the charity Dreamflight, which provides once-in-a-lifetime holidays to seriously ill children, stole over £17,000 by transferring money from charity accounts to his personal bank account. Thorburn, aged 40 and from Tranent, East Lothian, was caught after charity managers noticed missing cash from public fundraising events.
At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on September 3, Thorburn pleaded guilty to embezzlement between January 2015 and March 2018. Despite the gravity of his crime, Thorburn was not sentenced to jail. Instead, he was given a community payback order and mandated to carry out 280 hours of unpaid work. Court proceedings revealed that Thorburn had been associated with the charity since around 2014, holding a position as one of the two regional organisers for the eastern part of Scotland. He was entrusted with a bank card and granted online access to the charity’s fundraising savers account.
Suspicions arose when Thorburn’s colleague noticed changes in the charity account details. When questioned, Thorburn falsely claimed that a new account had been set up by Barclays without his knowledge and agreed to close it down. However, further investigations uncovered that funds from fundraising events had been diverted to his personal account. In total, £17,106 had been misappropriated. Thorburn has since repaid the full amount.
Lynne Barrie, Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders, strongly condemned Thorburn’s actions as a breach of trust, emphasizing that the stolen money was meant to fulfil the dreams of children with serious illnesses. Dreamflight was founded in 1986 and has provided unforgettable experiences to over 6,000 children since its inception. The charity arranges trips to Orlando and UK-based activities for sick and disabled children, supported by a dedicated team of medical professionals and volunteers.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding charitable donations and the impact of financial crimes on vulnerable individuals. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service remain committed to prosecuting those who exploit such funds. Thorburn’s actions not only harmed the charity financially but also jeopardised the hopes of children eagerly anticipating their dream holidays.