St Andrews student Amy Fisken steals charity funds from own event

In the United Kingdom, a serious case emerged involving Amy Fisken, a final year student from St Andrews University, who misappropriated nearly £10,000 from an arts charity. Fisken was in charge of organizing the House of Horrors Halloween Ball when she illegally transferred ticket sales money into her personal bank account. The courts revealed that she initially took nearly £9,000 before repaying £3,000 ahead of criminal proceedings. Her actions led to a lengthy investigation by the charity, Impact Arts, which pursued her for over six months following the discovery of the missing funds. The Dundee sheriff court received testimony describing Fisken's mental health struggles, exacerbated by her demanding academic schedule and the challenges of organizing a large event. These pressures reportedly contributed to her financial decisions, which she later characterized as a snowball effect, expressing that initial spending spiraled out of control. As she became aware of the severity of her situation, the embarrassment led her to withdraw further rather than seek help. Despite her claims that she had no intention of embezzling money, Fisken’s actions were viewed by the court as an abuse of the trust inherent in her position. A sheriff mentioned that the duration of the crimes was significant and highlighted the responsibility she had undertaken as part of her role organizing a charity event. Ultimately, after being pursued for repayment, Fisken was fined £1,600 following a yearlong delay in the case when she failed to appear in court. Fiskens' case serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with financial management in charitable organizations and the potential consequences of misusing funds. It also raises questions about the pressures students face during their final year of studies and the impact of mental health on decision-making. As she now works for her parents’ business after leaving university without completing her coursework, Fisken's story emphasizes the urgent need for support systems within educational institutions to help students navigate both academic and personal challenges.