Gran Mary Graham left her former pal Sarah Ferguson without festive gifts when she failed to come up with the vouchers Sarah had saved for. Her brother was also left out of pocket
A savings club agent wrecked a family Christmas by pocketing gift vouchers worth more than £1100.
Gran Mary Graham left her former pal Sarah Ferguson without festive gifts when she failed to come up with the £900 in vouchers Sarah had saved for. And Sarah’s brother Danny didn’t get the £235 hamper he had ordered.
When challenged, Mary, 50, tearfully admitted she had spent the lot.
Mum-of-two Sarah, 42, from Prestwick, Ayrshire, told the Daily Record: “She started crying, saying, ‘Sorry, I spent the money. I’ve been struggling and had money problems.’
“I felt sick. I thought, ‘No, I’m not feeling sorry for you. You obviously didn’t think about me when you were spending my money.’”
Graham was collecting for hamper firm Parks Christmas Savings.
Sarah added: “I think she planned it. My brother ordered a food hamper but Mary phoned and cancelled it, telling them he wanted vouchers instead.
“I just wonder who else she has done this to.”
Sarah, who has two grandchildren, contacted Parks, who suggested she report Graham to the police. The company admitted in a letter that “there may be fraudulent activity” on her account.
She said: “All I wanted was to make Christmas special for my grandchildren.
“I am totally gutted. I feel like I’ve been let down.
“Someone has taken something from me when they have no right and I feel like there is nothing I can do about it.”
Mary’s partner Craig said she was unwell and would not comment.
He added: “She’s obviously going to have to go to court with all this but I don’t know how we are going to cope.
“Mary has tried everything in her power to get the money back – and she is still trying.”
No one at Parks was available for comment.
But they told Sarah in a letter: “While we continue with our investigations we strongly recommend that no further payments are made to your agent.”
A police spokesman said: “We received a report of an alleged theft. Officers contacted Sarah Ferguson and provided her with advice and guidance.”
