Former Aberfoyle charity boss given March deadline to repay stolen £95k
A former charity boss from Aberfoyle has been given a deadline until March to repay over £95,000 that she stole from cancer causes. Lindsay MacCallum, who defrauded the cancer charity Rainbow Valley of £85,978 and embezzled £9,505 from the Anthony Nolan Trust, was sentenced to three years in jail back in October for her crimes. MacCallum, 61, has already repaid £25,000 to Rainbow Valley, but there were concerns that the remaining funds she owed might end up in Treasury funds if a confiscation order was granted.
At Falkirk Sheriff Court, it was revealed that MacCallum’s lawyers have agreed to pause confiscation proceedings to allow her until March to repay the outstanding amount – £60,000 to Rainbow Valley and £9,505 to the Anthony Nolan Trust. MacCallum, who did not appear in court, has committed to liquidating the funds within three months. The Crown has stated that if the money is repaid by the deadline, court action under the Proceeds of Crime Act will be withdrawn. MacCallum is scheduled to appear in court on March 5, 2025, for a final hearing.
MacCallum worked as a fundraising manager for the Anthony Nolan Trust from 1995 to 2012 before leaving to set up Rainbow Valley with her best friend, Angela MacVicar. She diverted funds from charity accounts for personal use between 2011 and 2021, forging signatures and rerouting money into her own accounts. This deceit was discovered by Angela MacVicar, who lost her daughter to leukaemia and co-founded Rainbow Valley in her memory. MacCallum’s sentencing sheriff described her actions as “systematic” and “calculating,” betraying cancer victims and the trust of those around her.
Outside the court, Angela MacVicar expressed relief that a settlement had been reached, stating, “The court has done us justice.” The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability within the charity sector to ensure that funds intended for good causes are safeguarded and used appropriately.
In a society where charitable contributions play a vital role in supporting those in need, incidents of fraud and embezzlement within charitable organisations undermine the trust and goodwill of donors. It is crucial for charities to have robust financial oversight and accountability measures in place to prevent such occurrences and safeguard the integrity of their operations. The deadline given to MacCallum to repay the stolen funds highlights the legal consequences individuals face when abusing positions of trust for personal gain. This case serves as a cautionary tale and a call for greater vigilance in upholding ethical fundraising practices within the charitable sector.