As soon as November comes around, the number of charity fund-raising begging-letters that drop through the letter box increases by 100-fold. They flood in.
I don't support as many charities as I'd like to, but we do have two favourites. Me, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and Lady Magnon, The Red Cross.
I have nothing against 'begging-letters' coming through the post; they mostly end up in the recycling bin. What I do object to is how they all get hold of both my home address and my Email address.
I have to presume that the charities we do sponsor are selling our details to others as a 'decent bet'; and that I really, really, don't like.
Many years ago I followed my mother's example and donated to Amnesty (later Amnesty International). One day I received a letter proudly saying that they'd sent 5 employees to somewhere in the USA to demonstrate outside a prison against some nasty murderer's death sentence. The man involved was the worst sort of torturer serial-killer and all-round nasty individual that one could possibly imagine, and had certainly sacrificed his right to life. He had murdered about 13 women, some of whom he had dismembered alive; he was a total monster.
I did a rough calculation of the cost of flights, hotel accommodation, lunches, travel, etc, and came to the conclusion that my annual gift of £100 would have had to be matched by several hundred other donors to pay for their 'jolly'; and for absolutely no logical reason. I was furious.
I wrote to the then Director (a Lord someone-or-other) and gave him a piece of my mind, as well as saying that he'd had my final donation. Such behaviour gives a bad name to other more worthy charities.
I wonder how many people are swayed by postal or TV appeals? I am not; yet they flood in by the dozen at this time of year, and []'on a daily basis. I'm sorry to say that they now go (mostly unopened) directly into the Paper Recycling Bin.
I only have to presume that the huge cost of such campaigns is outweighed by the donations they receive.
p.s. If you're looking for a really worthy charity, why not try Orbis International. They treat eye problems worldwide. Have a look at their web page.
Charity forms usually state they will pass on your details unless you tick a box. I think they get paid to pass them on. I usually donate to Shelter at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI certainly don't remember any box to tick. I don't like that they are happy to accept a donation, then are happy again to sell your private details. I suppose in the long term it's not very important, but it does annoy me.
DeleteI have been D.D.ing to the same four charities for at least the last 20 years. I shall not change now.
ReplyDeleteNo, I see no reason to change either, or (sadly) to add to the list.
DeleteMy late father in law became very confused in his very old age and got talked into setting up many bank direct debits with all sorts of charities who called him on the phone. After he died his daughter found he had given away £1,000s .
ReplyDeleteAgain, another reason why they give themselves a bad name. Very devious, and the 'chuggers' get their cut.
DeleteOne thing to do when you get the letter to check who is registered to vote..tick the box to go on the closed list. That will reduce junk mail
ReplyDeleteIf I see such a box I will certainly tick.
DeleteContact your local council and find out how to do that.
DeleteWe now support mainly local charities, such as Hospice and the Food bank, although we send anonymous donations to one or two UK based organisations too. Since moving house the unsolicited requests have dried up.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if moving house is the best solution.
DeleteI am in favor of doctors without borders. The Red Cross, on the other hand, avoided visits to our 240 abductees, a nine-month-old baby and elderly people aged eighty and over who need medication. Children who are there without parents and terminally ill patients who need treatment.
ReplyDeleteYael, I suspect it was Hamas who refused their visits. They might later have revealed their whereabouts!
DeleteFortunately we don't seem to be plagued by unsolicited demands for donations.
ReplyDeleteI give to local charities only and actually hand the cash over at a collection point.
The ongoing fiasco with the Tom Moore Charity, and the one run by that peculiar woman who caused all that trouble with the late Queen's Lady-in Waiting, have deterred me from giving to any charity other than an established one.
My good friend Alan was disastrously involved with 'Kids Company'. It seems that the founder had been up to no good, and sadly it rubbed-off on Alan too.
DeleteDear Friend,
ReplyDeleteAs we approach Christmas, it's good to think of those less fortunate than ourselves and to extend a hand of generosity. This year we urge you to give as many pounds as you can spare to a very worthy charity - the YPEF* which does excellent work in the north of England.
DON'T BE LIKE SCROOGE! HELP THE YPEF* AND ENJOY YOUR CHRISTMAS WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE!
Season's Greetings,
Santa Claus
PS *= Yorkshire Pudding Enrichment Fund
No you're not getting anything, and will you please stop sending those tear-stained begging letters.
DeleteWe used to support a couple of children in Africa, we thought. After reading about where most of the moeny goes, not to Africa, we now stick to local charities.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very sorry fact that so much money, generously given by ordinary people, ends-up in the pockets of fraudsters. Most are caught, but the money is never returned.
DeleteMy Dad was a Freemason and, as you know, they do a lot for charities but he always said that the majority of charities kept most of the money so, I am always cautious as to what charities I give to. How do we know where the money goes ? I tend to give to food banks or charities that have a ' good ' name but even then you can't be sure. Wasn't there a problem with Oxfam around 2010 ? It's really sad that we can't even be sure of charities now. XXXX
ReplyDeleteThere was also a big problem with The Salvation Army, who one would have imagined to be totally honest.
DeleteOne appeal that annoys me is the one to provide water for the people of Africa. 70 years ago as a young schoolchild I used to take 3p or 6p in a matchbox for this charity. How much money have the world donated over the years, by now ever mud hut should have been able to have water! A friends husband used to work for a German company that provided the pipework for this and they found that all was fine until the natives wanted a screw or a pipe to do another job so they just took it, thus making the taps useless.
ReplyDeleteI was going to add the same to my comment Eleanor. All the televised charities here have been going for years but the same problems go on year after year even though, they say, millions are given every year to supposedly help those problems . XXXX
DeleteThese are the type of things that made Paul Theroux weep when he went back to Africa when he had taught as a student. He saw for himself that the money collected for schools had not gone to the schools etc and books had all disappeared etc. etc. He gave up his visit, he was so distessed about what he found.
DeleteI'm afraid that these are very common stories. I remember one charity who were providing tractors for some African farmers. When they broke down, or a tyre burst, they were dumped and bits taken for other tractors. It was a total farce.
DeleteI am very selective on who gets my hard earned, or ill-gotten money.
ReplyDeleteWe have to just cross our fingers and hope that whatever money we give does some good.
DeleteThe charity donation business is a "big business" with highly paid executives. How much of the money donated actually goes to those in need? Many of the charities claim to be non-profit which seems false as well. Their non-profit status is arranged exclusively for tax benefits.
ReplyDeleteAnd the non-profit status is taken after very high salaries are paid to the 'executives'.
DeleteI only donate to animal charities. They have no one to look after them and their misery is brought about by humans.
ReplyDeleteI used to donate to charities to provide meals for the homeless. Until I worked in a health unit in the inner city. I realized how many of our homeless were there by choice. Six months in the city and six months on the Reserve. They knew which charities dis the best meals, where to get clothed, etc.
Now, it's all about the "unhoused" and those who chose to live in tents in the city in the winter.
Nope, I'll help their animals, spay, neuter, and feed them.
Mankind is the problem and three decades in healthcare have made me extremely cynical
I tend to have more sympathy for animals than I do for humans. I cannot stand mistreatment of the poor defenceless creatures.
DeleteI object to all the donate please mail too, but I mark it "return to sender, unsolicited mail" and sometimes also write "do not send again" That usually stops them for a couple of years. I have charities that I prefer to donate to, but have had to cut back. Doctors Without Borders is a good one.
ReplyDeleteMy charity is Medicins sans Frontiers
ReplyDelete