Charity Worker Jailed for Two Years After Scamming £30,000

A charity worker who defrauded a cancer charity by selling theme park tickets intended for sick children has been sentenced to two years in prison. Heidi Bucknall, 32, an administrative assistant, misappropriated hundreds of donated tickets and sold them on eBay over a span of six years.

Bucknall, who had been responsible for organising trips for children battling cancer, diverted the tickets for her own gain. Additionally, she fraudulently applied for grants in the names of deceased children and stole two donated thermometers, which she also sold online.

She was convicted at Nottingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to charges of fraud by abuse of position and concealing criminal property. Her fraudulent activities, which occurred between June 2015 and April 2021, came to light when a company that provided free tickets noticed them listed on eBay.

An investigation revealed that the eBay account was linked to Bucknall. She broke down during questioning by her manager and the police. Bucknall admitted that the eBay account was associated with a PayPal account belonging to a relative, who she claimed was unaware of her criminal activities.

In 2021, Bucknall confessed to making up to £3,000 annually from selling the donated tickets online. The investigation also uncovered fraudulent Family Grants, leading to her arrest in 2022. She admitted her wrongdoing, explaining that financial pressure from an ex-partner had driven her actions.

Bucknall, from Nottingham, pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by false position and three counts of concealing criminal property. Detective Constable Anna Haynes commented on the case, stating, "Bucknall selfishly pocketed money and tickets that could have supported families of very sick children. Nothing can excuse her actions."