Published: Thursday, 8th May, 2008 16:30
Conman duped cancer victim
By Lorraine Tinney
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CROOK’S TARGET: Fraud victim Mae McPherson, alongside husband Donnie.
Pic by: George Munro
A SICK conman targeted a cancer victim by posing as fundraiser for Ardgowan Hospice.
Victim Mae McPherson, 68, who has been battling breast cancer for two years and is still undergoing treatment, was at home in Port Glasgow’s Glenhuntly Terrace when the fraudster struck on Thursday night.
The man came to the door claiming to be fundraising for a sponsored cycle for the hospice.
Her husband Donnie, 69, publican of the Comet Bar, chatted to the man, who told him he had lost his aunt to cancer and even mentioned his wife was being treated for the disease.
Big-hearted Donnie gave him a fiver and encouraged Mae to do the same.
Mae, who is taking part in a 3k Race for Life event on 8 June to raise money for the hospice, said: “He looked about 20, a nice-looking boy with black hair and well-spoken.
He was carrying sponsor sheets with the Ardgowan Hospice heading. I said to Donnie ‘what a nice wee boy, you don’t get many like that in this day and age.’ Donnie even offered to give him a bike if he needed one.”
The conman was wearing an Inverclyde Council badge and won the couple’s trust by claiming he worked with Donnie’s pal.
But he was rumbled when Donnie met his pal the next day, who told him the man had changed job and wasn’t to be trusted.
They then alerted police, who are investigating the incident.
Mae said: “I don’t like what happened, especially with me having cancer. I’m still undergoing treatment at the hospital and it’s not very nice taking advantage of vulnerable and elderly people. He also went to my neighbour, who’s 92.”
The plucky pensioner has survived gruelling blocks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is now taking the ‘wonder drug’ Herceptin.
She said: “When you are diagnosed, you think you’re going to die and some days you’re whacked with the chemotherapy.
“The fact I’ve been through all that and someone has tried to make money of out it makes me feel really angry. It might make people think twice about giving to charity.”
Allison Smith, fundraising manager for Ardgowan Hospice, said: “We would never solicit door-to-door and we recommend people never hand over any sponsorship money over the door.
“If anyone has any concerns over whether someone is bona fide or not, they can contact me directly on 558847.”
Police are also anxious to hear from anyone who may have been duped by the man. Anyone affected should contact Greenock police on 492500.
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Further Details
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