A FUNDRAISER who abused a position of "power and trust" has been jailed after stealing money from a charity for sick cancer patients.

Greedy Amanda Millington, 42, duped a barber into thinking key funds donated by well-wishers at a charity haircut event would be handed to Cancer Research.

She instead pocketed the cash, which the charity's director now says he hopes does not deter generous supporters from donating in the future.

Photographs from the charity event in July 2013 showed her smiling broadly and donning a Cancer Research t-shirt.

The barber had intended for the proceeds from the haircuts to be sent to Cancer Research after Millington contacted the charity for fundraising packages.

Millington forged a letter from the charity but put its logo in the wrong place which led to the Home Office to question its legitimacy.

After a probe by a local newspaper, Cancer Research confirmed it had not received the donation and had been chasing the £425 for months.

The long-time fundraiser for a number of charities including The Shannon Bradshaw Trust was then quizzed by police.

Millington, from Warrington, Cheshire., was sentenced to eight months in prison at Warrington Crown Court on Tuesday after being found guilty of fraud by a jury earlier this month.

The court heard, Millington had “used her charity connections” to apply for fundraising packages to help Ilham Begde, of Ilham's Barbers, organise a charity haircut.

Mr Begde intended for the proceeds from the first 50 haircuts to be sent to Cancer Research after Millington contacted the charity for fundraising packages.

The incident came to light in 2014 when Mr Begde, a Turkish national, attempted to get his brother into the country and wanted to provide evidence of charity work to prove he was an outstanding citizen.

The court heard, a black mark was placed against Mr Begde and his brother was barred from entering the country for 10 years.

Millington had also hosted a charity fun day but none of the proceeds went to Cancer Research as promised.

Mitigating, John Banasko said: “She has spent several years fundraising for The Shannon Bradshaw Trust and is a lady who is not in the best of health.

“She has her own family problems, being the carer of her son.

“She has done a lot of good work in the community but she has done some bad things as well.”

Recorder Simon Killeen said: “In 2013, Mr Begde ran a barber shop and wanted to raise money from a charity haircut.

“The event took place and you received £425 from Mr Begde but it is clear from the evidence from Cancer Research what you had done.

“You had not paid a penny, it had gone straight into your pocket.

“You were in a position of trust, when you receive these packages from Cancer Research, you are expected to use them properly and return the money you raise.

"You did none of that, you lied about what you did.”

Mr Killeen explained how such actions are damaging to charitable organisations that rely on members of the public who raise money.

He said: “They need to know they can trust these people who wear the emblems of the charity and these people are not just lining their pockets.

“People will stop giving money to these vital organisations which help medical treatments and research.”

It has been revealed that Millington was a convicted benefit cheat who had falsely claimed more than £9,000 between November 2004 and August 2005.

She claimed benefits as a single person when she was living with her partner.

Speaking after the sentencing, Simon Ledsham, director of communities at Cancer Research UK, said: “We welcome this conviction.

“Cancer Research UK has been working with Cheshire Police to investigate the events.

“Cancer Research UK does not receive any government funding for our vital research, but relies completely on the commitment, dedication, generosity and honesty of our supporters fundraising on our behalf.

"We hope that this matter does not deter any of our generous supporters in the future.”