In a heartbreaking turn of events, Lindsay MacCallum has admitted to stealing over £85,000 from Rainbow Valley, a cancer charity she co-founded with Angela MacVicar. The charity, established in 2012, was created to honor the memory of MacVicar's daughter, Johanna, who tragically passed away from leukaemia in 2005 at the age of 27. Johanna’s battle with cancer had left her family grappling with the challenges of finding genuine support and therapies, which motivated the creation of Rainbow Valley.
MacCallum, 61, from Aberfoyle, was entrusted with handling donations for the charity. Instead of using these funds to support cancer patients and their families, she devised a scheme to embezzle the money. She set up a bank account under the guise of managing charity funds, but instead redirected over £85,000 into her personal accounts from February 2013 to November 2021. Additionally, MacCallum fraudulently obtained £9,505 from the Anthony Nolan Trust by forging signatures on cheques between July 2011 and September 2016.
The betrayal has been deeply felt by MacVicar, who had not only lost her daughter but also her trust in someone she considered a close friend. MacCallum's actions were described as "greedy and vain" by MacVicar, who expressed her profound disappointment and heartbreak. Despite the emotional and financial damage caused by MacCallum's theft, MacVicar remains determined to continue the work of Rainbow Valley and ensure that it fulfills its mission to support those affected by cancer.
MacCallum has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced in October. The court's decision will not only serve as a measure of justice for the stolen funds but also as a reminder of the profound impact of betrayal on those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
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