In a heartbreaking betrayal of friendship and trust, Angela MacVicar watched as her best friend Lindsay MacCallum was sentenced to three years in jail after pleading guilty to stealing nearly £86,000 from a cancer charity. The charity, Rainbow Valley, was founded in memory of Angela’s beloved daughter, Johanna, who fought a courageous battle against chronic myeloid leukemia and spent her life raising awareness for those affected by cancer. The emotional impact of this theft reaches beyond finances, tarnishing a legacy of compassion and support.

The Friendship That Once Felt Unbreakable

Angela and Lindsay met while working with the Anthony Nolan Trust, a charity supporting stem cell donations. Johanna, a dedicated campaigner after her leukemia diagnosis, also supported the Trust, becoming a public figure who raised awareness with strength and grace. As their friendship deepened, Angela and Lindsay became inseparable, bonding over shared values and losses. Lindsay even read Johanna’s eulogy at her funeral, a moment that further solidified their bond.

So, when Lindsay suggested starting a new charity, Rainbow Valley, in Johanna’s honor, Angela never hesitated. They built the organization together, with Lindsay managing operations while Angela remained the charity’s figurehead. For a decade, the charity became a source of solace for Angela, honoring Johanna’s memory by empowering cancer patients through wellness and support programs.

The Shocking Discovery

In 2022, Lindsay left Rainbow Valley, leaving Angela and her daughter Kendall to manage the charity’s accounts. As they worked to close an account only Lindsay had access to, a shocking pattern emerged: transactions totaling £86,000 were unaccounted for. Kendall noticed that money was being transferred directly to Lindsay’s accounts. The betrayal was unfathomable; Angela initially refused to believe it.

“I was in complete disbelief,” she said. “I thought, no, absolutely not a chance.” But when faced with the undeniable evidence, Angela confronted Lindsay, who admitted her guilt.

A Calculated Deception

Angela’s anguish deepened when she considered Lindsay’s motive. Lindsay had enjoyed a comfortable life but craved an even higher lifestyle. According to Angela, “vanity and greed” were at the heart of Lindsay’s theft, as she used charity funds for expensive clothing and lavish gifts. It was a betrayal that went beyond financial greed; it was a violation of the trust and purpose behind Rainbow Valley, a charity built on Johanna’s spirit and the dreams of helping those in need.

The deception, Angela believes, was calculated from the very beginning. “She lied to everybody and herself,” Angela said, reflecting on their friendship. “I think she always set out with the intention to defraud.”

Rebuilding Trust in a Legacy

Angela’s pain is evident, but Rainbow Valley has emerged resilient. By implementing a new policy of accountability and transparency, Angela ensures no individual can ever exploit the charity again. “Within the charity, I’ve put in place a ‘no-trust’ policy,” she explains. “It’s a privileged position to be in, and that privilege should never be abused.”

Although the charity’s reputation has survived, Angela laments the stain on Johanna’s legacy. “She’s tarnished Johanna’s legacy, and that hurts,” she says. Still, Angela draws strength from Johanna’s memory, determined to uphold the values her daughter embodied and ensure that no deceit could ever overshadow Johanna’s remarkable spirit.

Moving Forward: A Message for the Nonprofit Sector

Angela’s experience serves as a lesson for nonprofit organizations and a warning to anyone who might consider exploiting the goodwill of others. “The message is out there that it won’t be tolerated,” Angela states. “It brings me no joy to know she’s in jail, but there needs to be accountability.”

Rainbow Valley continues to support those affected by cancer, just as Johanna dreamed, now with stronger safeguards in place. Angela’s journey through betrayal has ultimately strengthened her resolve to protect her daughter’s legacy and inspire resilience in the face of deceit.