ABERFOYLE WOMAN LINDSAY MACCALLUM STEALS NEARLY £86,000 FROM CHARITY AND EMBEZZLES OVER £9,000 FROM STEM CELL TRUST

Lindsay MacCallum, a woman hailing from Aberfoyle, has been convicted of a serious financial crime involving the theft of nearly £86,000 from a charitable organization dedicated to honoring the memory of Johanna, the daughter of Angela MacVicar. Over a span of ten years, MacCallum engaged in a calculated series of fraudulent schemes, which included forging signatures of staff members and systematically redirecting funds into her own accounts for personal gain. Her criminal activities did not stop there; she also embezzled more than £9,000 from the Anthony Nolan Trust, a well-known charity involved in stem cell donation efforts. The case drew significant attention, especially from Angela MacVicar, who initially found it difficult to accept the accusations against her former friend. Angela described MacCallum as someone driven by greed and vanity, revealing her deep disappointment and sense of betrayal. Following her guilty plea to two counts of fraud, MacCallum was sentenced to three years in prison. Angela expressed her feelings of hurt and betrayal, emphasizing that her daughter's legacy has been tarnished by MacCallum’s actions. Despite the damage caused, Angela reassured that the charity continues to operate successfully, now with enhanced safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future. She also pointed out that MacCallum’s motivations appeared rooted in narcissism, and she had always suspected that her friendship with MacCallum was based on deception from the outset. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and strict oversight within charitable organizations, highlighting the risks of trusting others without proper checks and balances.