CHESHIRE Police are investigating a Warrington woman on allegations of fraud following a Warrington Guardian probe into charity money reported missing.

Our investigation has uncovered claims that £425 raised for Cancer Research has never been received by the charity.

Police have confirmed they are attempting to speak to Amanda Millington, of Cabul Close, Orford, although no-one has been arrested.

The money is believed to have been raised in July 2013 by Ilham Begde, aged 26, who owns Ilham’s Barbers on Marsh House Lane, Padgate.

To celebrate opening a children’s section to his shop, he says he decided to donate money taken from the first 50 haircuts to Cancer Research.

He claims the money was given to Mrs Millington, who is alleged to have collected it while wearing a Cancer Research T-shirt on behalf of the charity.

She also posed for a picture that was printed in the Warrington Guardian.

However, Mrs Millington, nee Carty, says she attended a fundraiser but denies she collected money from Mr Bedge. Cancer Research UK said it is supporting Mr Begde’s case.

A spokesman said: “We fully support Mr Begde and have been working with him to address his concerns.

“After chasing the funds for some months ourselves, this matter is now with the police for further investigation.

“Of course, the charity will fully co-operate with the police if they decide to pursue this matter further.”

The allegations came to light in July this year when Mr Begde, a Turkish national, applied for a two-week holiday visa on behalf of brother Turan.

He mentioned various fundraising he has done, including for Cancer Research, on the application.

But he says when Home Office checks flagged up the charity had not received any money the application was rejected.

Mr Begde, who has owned the barber’s shop for eight years, said: “I can’t get my head round it.

“I have raised money for different charities but now I have had to stop.

“It’s really sad, but what has bothered me most is my family cannot come to see me.”

In a series of text messages seen by the Warrington Guardian, Mrs Millington said she was in the process of organising a certificate for the money, while a former employee at Ilham’s claimed witnessing the money being handed over to Cheshire Police.

Mrs Millington admitted collecting £100 from a separate donor, given on the same day, that she has yet to give to Cancer Research, but rejects Mr Begde’s complaints.

She said: “I went to a fundraising day but there was a poor turnout.

“Ilham hasn’t given me any money, I’m appalled by what he has said.

“I didn’t say I’d get him a certificate, but a thank you letter.”

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “Cheshire Police have been investigating a complaint of fraud, reported in July 2014.

“The complaint involves an event held by the complainant who raised money to be donated to a cancer charity.

“The investigation is active and a number of lines of enquiry are still being explored.

“We can confirm that a 39-year old woman voluntarily attended a police station in October in relation to the case, however due to operational circumstances the interview could not take place.

“This was then rearranged for a later date, but was cancelled by the woman in question.

“Since this point police have been attempting to contact her to arrange an interview.

“Fraud cases are often complex and involve a number of lines of enquiry which can take time.”