Hunt for scammer making bogus door-to-door appeals for cash on behalf of a Wigan primary school

St Jude’s RC Primary in Worsley Mesnes has disowned the woman whose opening gambit is that the school is under-resourced and she is asking for donations.

To add credence to her story she then produces letter-headed St Jude’s notepaper endorsing her ploy.

But school bosses say that this has nothing to do with them and urge anyone approached by the woman to call the police.

In an online message to parents, the school wrote: “We have received several reports of a woman who has been knocking on doors and asking for money around the Newtown and Little Lane area.

“We have been told that she shows a letter on St Jude’s letterhead and asks for donations for school.

“She claims to be a representative of school and says the school has been denied funding and has no resources.

“We can confirm that this woman is NOT acting as a representative of our school. We are funded just like all other schools and we would never endorse such fund-raising activities.

“If this woman knocks at your door DO NOT GIVE HER ANY MONEY!

“If you have a visit from this woman, or a similar experience, you should report it to the police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

“For information: we are encouraging children to participate in a sponsored read, as it is World Book Day this week.

“This is legitimate school fund-raising and is to encourage children to read whilst raising money through their immediate family and friends.

“Children (or parents) should not be going door-to-door to raise money.”