A woman has been jailed for two years after admitting fraud by faking references to work for a charity that provides music therapy to children in hospital.

Claire Alderton, 48, of Shadwell Road, Portsmouth, also claimed she had been diagnosed with cancer after working for the city based charity called George’s Rockstars, which is named after its co-founder Amy O’Shaughnessy’s late son who died from leukaemia seven years ago.

After providing the fake references Alderton was employed by the charity as trusts and foundations fundraiser in June 2024 and claimed she had successfully submitted applications for grants.

Six months later she stopped attending work or remaining in contact with the charity, claiming she had been diagnosed with cancer.

Police were alerted after the charity contacted a foundation, she had claimed to have secured a grant from, only to find out that no application had been made.

Also the charity found out that one of her referees did not write her references and emails allegedly from their were faked.

After her appearance in court last month it transpired that her cancer diagnosis was also a lie.

'Profound betrayal of public trust'

“To target charities, secure employment through deception, and fabricate a cancer diagnosis to the mother and founder of an organisation established in memory of a child who bravely fought that very disease is truly abhorrent,” said Amy

“Furthermore, to falsify funding applications meant to support seriously ill children in hospitals is a profound betrayal of public trust.

“George’s Rockstars was created to preserve my son’s legacy and provide music therapy to families navigating their darkest hours in hospitals. While our services face immense demand, I have had to work tirelessly simply to prevent his legacy from going under due to this her fraudulent actions.

She added: “We have fought incredibly hard to ensure that, despite the gravity of this deception, our support for children and families remains uninterrupted.

“Personally, uncovering the sheer depth of these lies has been emotionally devastating. A custodial sentence is the absolute least she deserves for exploiting the charity sector and the vulnerabilities of a grieving family.

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

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Central Fraud Unit’s PC Emma Thomas added: “To knowingly and purposefully target the charity sector for personal gain is an appalling crime and one for which Alderton deserved to face justice for.

“Her actions have caused both financial and emotional suffering, and I hope that prison gives her time to reflect on the consequences of her choices.”

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