A woman has been sentenced to two years in prison after fabricating references to secure a position at a charity and later falsely claiming to have cancer to justify her absence from work. Claire Alderton, 48, from Portsmouth, was employed by George’s Rockstars, a charity based in Fareham, Hampshire, where her role involved applying for grants.

According to court proceedings, Alderton began working at the charity but ceased attending after six months, in December 2024, citing a cancer diagnosis. However, the charity discovered that no grant applications had been made during her tenure and that the references she provided prior to her hiring were fraudulent.

Following an investigation, Alderton was arrested and appeared at the city’s crown court, where she admitted to fraud with the intention of obtaining financial gain. The court imposed a two-year jail sentence.

George’s Rockstars was co-founded by Amy O’Shaughnessy in memory of her son, who died from leukaemia. O’Shaughnessy condemned Alderton’s actions, describing the exploitation of charitable organizations as “truly abhorrent.” The charity’s efforts remain focused on supporting children with cancer and their families.