Weird one. Should I be narked at this lady for swiping a collection at school and using for another purpose?

[iJoan]

Can I preface the post (NC so as not to get me in too much hot water) by saying I have had a pretty shit couple of months so may be a bit whiney and sensitive

A friend of my DD's at school got the devastating news that she was DX with a life threatening illness. She's been off school for the last couple of weeks. The family are very sweet and do a lot for others (including me)in the school. I thought it would be a nice gesture to do a collection so we could buy the girl some specific things to keep her occupied in hospital- The budget was £80 and the amount was reached very quickly and folks were very generous.

Unbeknownst to me another girl in another class had to have a routine operation last week which would require her being off school for a couple of weeks.

A lady who is senior in the PTA (who I do not know well) asked for the collection money which was being held in the school office. She told the admin staff that since the second girl was in the hospital the collection had changed (er no it hadn't)and she was going to organise a gift for her.

She spent all the money on the second girl. Leaving me looking like an idiot.

I approached her about it and got a gob full about treating the girls differently

I already spent the money on a gift for the original child which was very much appreciated. I am now £80 down and look a bit shady and am finding it very hard to bite my lip whilst the PTA lady is thanked for such a lovely idea!

RANT OVER!

I hope you don't need to post again, OP.

Oh, well done! I hope the head sorts it all out to his satisfaction () and you get your £80 back without the families having to know.

I also hope Overbearing PTA Fund Thief gets a massive bollocking and, better, has to pay it back herself.

Can you just come back & post a cryptic update? Pleeeeeeease?

Another one chiming in to say I met this isn't the first time she's trampled all over things before. And yes, it's definitely theft.

Theft and fraud, solicitors letter might do the trick

From the first page but have people never dealt with solicitors before?!

Solicitors charges are around £200 an hour. For £80 owed! There is no NHS with solicitors, it isnt free!

I think the HT also needs to look at the controls in his organisation - office staff shouldn't just give cash to anyone who has a vaguely plausible reason - they need to check with whoever gives them the cash first.
The fact that she is an intimidating woman shouldn't stop them doing their job.
Sorry am ex auditor/charity treasurer

As everyone else says, YADNBU.

Speak to the head and pronto. What the "senior" woman has done is theft.

I would take heed of the word from the head about discretion, and in fact I would ask Mumsnet to delete the thread. While we all are avariciously/laviciously (never sure which one is right!) looking forward to your updates, it's not worth the fall-out to you if the head/the PTA lady/the ill girls' parents/the daily mail get to see this (which they will, unless you've been very cunning and changed details). Obvs, you're not in the wrong in any way, so could keep your head held high, but do you want that kind of zattention?

Sorry to be a spoil sport.

By "discretion" I assume he means "please don't go plastering this all over social media"

Yeah, bit late. I'm wondering if the thread has already been put under the head's nose. It must be a fairly unusual and therefore identifiable situation.

That's very true MrsHathaway. I was thinking more of Facebook and/or Twitter but - yes - this it wouldn't take a genius to work out who this thread was about either I suppose!

Op perhaps you should get this thread deleted for your own protection (much as I'd love to know if PTA lady got her just desserts!)

I hope she gets a bollocking!

At the very least, she should be removed from any position of responsibility on the PTA. She has proved that she can't be trusted. She has to go.

Wonder if there'll be an update 🤔🤔

And I agree about deleting the thread. The Daily Mail will be all over like a rash.

Hope it gets sorted op. This is appalling.

Good to hear he's on the case.

I agree. Given this is the sort of post that will end up on Facebook id ask MN to delete it.

Glad you spoke to the Head. On no planet is what PTA bitch did acceptable.

OP, I'd get this thread deleted to protect yourself (although you can always update by means of another thread).

I'd also take a copy of the thread before deleting to save as a reference and also for the adivce contained.

I agree with the idea of making it clear that there is no misunderstanding, as from the information here, the PTA woman hadn't made any collection when she took the money.

That's so wrong on So many fronts! ! I would Def be asking for details of then'investugation' and what actions are beung taken

iJoan, well done for standing up against this thieving bitch. Really hope it gets sorted and she gets removed from her position on the PTA (I am assuming that can happen!).

Stick with it op. Don't let them fob you off.

I got every penny of my money back!
No request for receipts- nothing.
Just an apology the the staff handed the money over

And so concludes the story of the PTA bossy cah and the nobody.

But but but

What happened to PTA woman????

Yeah! I hope you've learnt a valuable lesson in sticking by what's right!

Good for you

What did your hubby say?

. Well done you!