Woman jailed after stealing £85,000 from charity in memory of friend’s daughter
Lindsay MacCallum was told she had brought ‘devastation’ to those who trusted her as she was handed a three-year sentence
A woman has been jailed for three years after admitting stealing more than £85,000 from a charity set up by her best friend in memory of her late daughter.
Lindsay MacCallum was told that her actions had brought “devastation” to those who trusted her during sentencing at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
The court heard MacCallum had systematically and deliberately defrauded the Anthony Nolan Trust and Rainbow Valley and had betrayed those who were terminally ill and their families.
No explanation was offered for the fraud, MacCallum was not in debt and in a plea in mitigation her lawyer said she struggled to articulate and explain her behaviour.
MacCallum has pledged to pay all the money back.
The Rainbow Valley foundation was jointly set up by MacCallum and Angela MacVicar, who lost her daughter Johanna to leukaemia in 2005 aged 27.
After the court Ms MacVicar thanked Police Scotland and the charity’s supporters for their help over a “very difficult” two years.
She said: “This sentence passed this morning is in line with the justice system and sends a message to the public that this will not be tolerated.
“Working in the third sector is a rewarding and privileged position and it is heart breaking when an individual case creates negativity within the sector filled with genuine people who care passionately about their cause.
“The ripple effect of hurt caused by Lindsay MacCallum runs deep. I ask people remember this was one person alone who breached the position of trust which was bestowed upon her.”
Johanna MacVicar was just 16 when she was diagnosed. Her mother said gathering research, identifying options and seeking out the genuine people, therapies and support was a daunting task.
In 2012, Ms MacVicar, family members and MacCallum set up Rainbow Valley with the aim of supporting those suffering from cancer and their loved ones.
MacCallum set up a bank account to receive donations for charity Rainbow Valley, which helps people suffering with cancer and their families.
Ten years later, MacCallum, from Aberfoyle, was charged with forming a fraudulent scheme to appropriate funds being donated to Rainbow Valley.
The 61-year-old arranged for the donations to be routed through a bank account she had access to in her official capacity. She would then transfer the money to her personal bank accounts or use it to pay for her own expenses.
The court heard she obtained £85,978 between February 2013 and November 2021.
MacCallum was also charged with forming a fraudulent scheme to appropriate funds being donated to the Anthony Nolan Trust between July 2011 and September 2016.
Falkirk Sheriff Court heard she obtained £9,505 in her official capacity with the stem cell charity as a result after forging signatures of office holders on cheques.
It added: “A scenic Scots village is at war with a property developer who has been accused of ‘shamefully’ using cancer victims to obtain planning permission.
“They claim that developer Iain Methven only decided to gift part of his land for the facility after he had housing proposals refused four years ago.
“The Rainbow Valley centre – which has the backing of Hollywood star Dougray Scott – now forms part of a joint application which also includes three luxury houses.”
What the story didn’t say was that another supporter of Iain Methven, pictured left, who turned up at a public meeting in Gartocharn and spoke for the plan was the Rev Ian Miller, of Bonhill, who is now the interim moderator of Alexandria Parish Church, where he was one of the chosen speakers on behalf of the controversial Flamingo Land project in Balloch.
The Sunday Express report added: “Despite the philanthropic gesture [by Iain Methven, who lives in Croftamie], villagers have accused him of attempting to “morally force” approval for his own benefit.
“In response, it has been claimed that locals have launched a vendetta against Mr Methven because he outbid the community for the plot of land five years ago.
How utterly cynical, calculated and disgusting. His earlier attempts to enrich himself – with no thought to the life of the village or the wishes and needs of the residents – contained no similar ‘philanthropic’ element. How clever and generous of him.
“And planners at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, which has strict guidelines to protect its beauty, have been inundated with dozens of objections to the proposals.
“Local man Peter Broughan said: ‘Mr Methven’s latest attempt to enrich himself and deprive the village of its beautiful heart, which he has already shamefully sullied, is now cloaked in the convenient flag of ‘cancer’, a dreadful disease which has touched us all.
“‘How utterly cynical, calculated and disgusting. His earlier attempts to enrich himself – with no thought to the life of the village or the wishes and needs of the residents – contained no similar ‘philanthropic’ element. How clever and generous of him to come up with this plan now.”
“‘Fellow Gartocharn resident Rita Gaskell said: “I think what Mr Methven has done is awful – teaming up with a cancer charity just to get his permission for houses to be built.
“‘My daughter is dying from cancer at the present time and I object to what this man is doing. By fair means or foul springs to mind.’
“And Ethel McGillivray fumed: “After so many failed applications, to suddenly use a cancer charity in an attempt to morally force planners against the wishes of the village is an abhorrent ploy by Mr Methven.
“Objectors argue that the plans will cause traffic congestion, ruin the spectacular views of Loch Lomond and is outwith an area set aside for development.
“Despite the objections, hundreds of people have inundated the national park with positive comments and accused opponents of nimbyism.
“Mr Methven, who has supported Rainbow Valley for two years, came forward after the charity appealed for land to build their centre.
“In January it was agreed he would gift the land on the condition he is given permission to build three houses to offset costs.
“Last night, the developer explained he is not permitted to build the properties until the centre opens its doors.
“He added: ‘It’s absolutely not the case that I am using Rainbow Valley to further my own gain.
“‘I believe that the controversy comes down to the fact that I outbid a local community group when purchasing the land in question and, unfortunately, a small minority of the community have never forgiven me for it’.
“Rainbow Valley founder Angela MacVicar said the purchase of the land had led to locals expressing ‘hatred’ towards Mr Methven.
“She added: ‘We can’t change the past or those feelings towards Mr Methven, we just want to move forward and make good from the situation.
“‘We have entered into a mutually beneficial business transaction and we are delighted and grateful that we have been donated this piece of land. It is the perfect location.
“’Rainbow Valley is committed to building a dedicated year-round retreat, offering free advice and support for cancer patients and their families from across Scotland.
“’Following several months of research and due diligence, we know the site at Gartocharn is perfect for our needs and we have had a tremendous amount of support from the public to date. Indeed, over a thousand people have shown their support on the National Parks website.
“’We have remained open and honest about every aspect of our application and the enormous benefits it will bring to the community and beyond.”
“The planned centre would provide mental support, education and advice for those suffering from cancer and their families to compliment medical treatment, as well as providing alternative therapies to help alleviate symptoms.
“A spokeswoman for the National Park said a decision would be made later this year.
“Residents of Gartocharn, on the banks of Loch Lomond, believe national park bosses are being pressured into granting a controversial application as it includes a cancer treatment centre.
“They claim that developer Iain Methven only decided to gift part of his land for the facility after he had housing proposals refused four years ago.
“The Rainbow Valley centre now forms part of a joint application which also includes three luxury houses.
“Despite the philanthropic gesture, villagers have accused him of attempting to ‘morally force’ approval for his own benefit.”
- When no planning permission for the development was granted Mr Methven passed on the field outside Gartocharn Parish Church, where a piggery was created.
