How do you feel?
 

How do you feel about the governments latest ploy to get us all to give more to Charity?
It has been reported that the government are to 'encourage' the general public to be more generous with their time and money, by asking them at ATM's, at the tills when doing your genral shop, and also when shopping online, if you would like to donate a little something to a charity.

This is in an attempt to help us to focus on the 'Big Society' and foster the 'warm glow' that giving to charity is supposed to promote.

Myself, I think they have a damn cheek, and I fear it will backfire on the charities. Meaning that they may end up getting less donations because folk become'charity fatigued' and antagonised.

Most people are having a tough time financially.
The last thing they need is to be harassed by the checkout girl at Tesco.......and to be honest, the last thing the checkout girl needs is to antagonise her customer by asking for a donation to some charity or other.

I am not an uncharitable person....but I want to be able to choose who I give to and also the amount I can afford.
I have three favourite charities...and I give by direct debit......a guaranteed sum every year.
If I wanted to give more then it is up to me to do it privately, not at the cashpoint of the bank or at my local supermarket.

What is your perspective on this plan?

Re: How do you feel?
 

they can try, i don't think it would get them far, if you want to give to charity then you do, if you don't want to then you don't

its just so the government don't have to give as much, bollox to them

Re: How do you feel?
 

its just their way of shifting responsability for the vulnerable in our society onto our shoulders so they can continue sending millions to the needy in other countries.

Re: How do you feel?
 

I think you are right Shaz, but some folk may feel like they are in an awkward situation.....and may give something just because they are asked in a public place......they may not want to look uncharitable or poverty stricken.

I buy on e-bay from time to time and sometimes if the charity is one which appeals to me...like Help for Heroes/Poppy Appeal/Macmillan Cancer charity...then I will donate a pound.......but I think it is inappropriate to ask at Cashpoints and at the checkouts. Just my opinion.

Re: How do you feel?
 

Yes, you are right. The money should be going to charities in this country.....to help the people of this country.

Re: How do you feel?
 

Got it in one ... that's a gold star for you:D

Re: How do you feel?
 

its called "Shifting The Spotlight" from the multi rich tory ******* to the peasants, like margaret i have 3 i regularly support, others only if i see fit n have the dosh, i feel very annoyed about this impertinence n may consider saying stuff it.:(

Re: How do you feel?
 

Margaret, I think the way it will work is when you put your card in it will show you the bill and leave a place where you can add your contribution to add to the bill.The girl doesn't have to ask you. Some restaurants do this-it annoys me, if I'm tipping I give it the waiter, not put it straight into the owners account.
Will the Government decide who it goes to, or the supermarket, or you? If it's the Government will they give it to some poor third world country to help finance more nuclear weapons? No thanks, not for me!

Re: How do you feel?
 

There is no way I would be coherced into giving money I can ill afford to any charity, having said that I am more than prepared to put time and effort into raising money through coffee mornings, raffles, tombolas etc. as was shown in November when we had our Heroes day. This country is on its uppers yet still insists on borrowing money to help other countries, I was brought up to believe "charity begins at home". So no there is absolutely no way I will feel the need to contribute money and leave myself short.

Re: How do you feel?
 

Well I only use my credit card on line, and I decide which charities to support and they are all British based and look after British people, which is the only thing I'll subscribe to and its MY CHOICE

Re: How do you feel?
 

Nope I won't be giving, nor will I be joining the so called, 'Big Society', I believe in a fair days pay for a fair days work and truly feel that the more voluntary people we have the less real jobs there will be for quite a large number of us.

Re: How do you feel?
 

Yes Gordon, I know how it works too......but how long before it escalates into something more.
I frequently give my loose change in the BHF shop, and when there is a small amount of change when I am shopping I ask if they have a charity box for it to go into....and very often they don't...but I don't think the government should start meddling like this.
If they want more money to go to the Charities then they should think of perhaps subsidising premises/manpower, reducing the tax burden(perhaps they already do this...I don't know).
As for encouraging volunteers, I like, Less, feel that by volunteering you deprive someone of a job that they could be paid to do.

I don't know who thought up these ideas, but I think they are deluded and misguided....and it looks as though I am not the only one.

Re: How do you feel?
 

It is ridiculous when the Government have already increased the funding to Overseas Aid ansd are covering the shortfall in the UN Disaster Fund because other countries haven't given what they originally promised???????????????

Re: How do you feel?
 

(You'll find that happens regularly Barrie when there's no points to score,) bet jaysay don't comment on that statement?:D which he made on another thread.;)

Re: How do you feel?
 

I decide what money I am going to give away .
If anyone at the door or on the telephone asks for a donation I explain that I have already committed myself as to how and what I donate .
ATMs and others will be given the same response .

Re: How do you feel?
 

Over Christmas i have been keeping a list of all the charities advertising on TV
"just give £3 a week for this charity" just give £5 a week to save this animal" etc
when added up if you gave to all the charities advertising on TV it would cost you £280 a Month.
add to this all the local charities and your upto £300 a month
this is one reason we do not allow charities to advertise on accyweb as there would be no room for other threads on site:)

Re: How do you feel?
 

Who me cashy never:D

Re: How do you feel?
 

They can keep it ! Donation is a personal thing & should therefore be down to the individual as to when, where, who they support & how much they choose to give. I usually put the shrapnel in tins when I'm out & about or when the change in a shop is given if it's only coppers I'll ask them to put it in a tin if they've got one.

Re: How do you feel?
 

I can see how it works in restaurants, but if you are paying for groceries at Asda surely they will have to ask if you want your bill rounded up....you don't get presented with the receipt until you have paid your money......and how will it be decided what charities you are giving to?

I do not trust any government to look after money that is meant to be for someone else.

The idea of donating 1% of our income is ludicrous too........it is blatantly obvious that the folk who suggest such a measure are living vastly different lives to the rest of us.

Re: How do you feel?
 

I see what you mean, Margaret-someone would have to ask you. Not a job I would fancy!
Also who would pay the supermarkets administration costs? Price of your food goes up or THEY take a cut?
Where has the idea of 1% come from? I hadn't seen that.

Re: How do you feel?
 

Take a browse at this Gord.

Give more to charity, the government urges | Society | guardian.co.uk

Re: How do you feel?
 

Perhaps I'm looking at things in the wrong way but in the past two years there seems to be an awful lot of new charities which have sprung into existence duplicating the purpose of well-established organisations.

If I was dead set on saving the thousands of puppies and kittens that are abandoned each year then the RSPCA would be my first port of call. They do a magnificent job and have a wealth of experience so why do we need to build up others rather than supporting a framework that is already in place?

The cynic in me simply doesn't believe that all the money gets to where it is supposed to go, I would prefer to trust hospices and respected aid organisations than dropping a quid into every box that comes a-knocking.

Re: How do you feel?
 

Even respected aid organisations have massive overheads Ken, I used to pull my hair out(I had some in those days:D)every time I got the annual balance sheet for the National Asthma Campaign, when I was the area secretary(unpaid) as to how much went on staff wages etc. Even the East Lancs Hospice have paid fund raisers, I Doubt if they could run without them;)

Re: How do you feel?
 

Precisely John, so why set up dozens of charities doing the same thing, all with the same overhead bills, when one respected organisation does it better? It smacks of someone somewhere trying to get their hands on a bit of money by preying on the better nature of the public.

Hospices are slightly different in that they do a fantastic job and I try to give to the local ones as often as I can (St Catherine's in Lostock Hall and the East Lancashire Hospice being two prime examples). Their running costs are enormous but anyone who has seen a family member or friend cared for by these institutions will recognise their value.

Re: How do you feel?
 

I don't think it is the job of government to be telling people to give more to charity . They were elected to govern , not to tell us what to do with our millions . :D

Re: How do you feel?
 

Hey, JCB, if you don't know what to do with YOUR millions, allow me to help you!

Re: How do you feel?
 

I am sure that I read some time ago that over 75% of donations goes in salaries and running costs?????????

Re: How do you feel?
 

Governments need to get out of the "charity" business. Far better that we as individuals decide where our money should go. I like the one on one approach. I only support organizations that I am familiar with and have a half dozen on my roster. I prefer to visit the facilities to make sure that everything is as it should be. I like to be very proactive and some of my interests revolve around scholarship funds for the children of veterans killed or severely wounded in battle. My husband is a Kentucky Colonel, a charitable group of long standing and so, of course, we contribute to that. I am also a sponsor of St. Joseph's Indian School, Young America's Foundation and the Freedom Foundation. I feel that I get a lot of bang for the buck. Better than having the government fritter it away on useless projects.

Re: How do you feel?
 

totally disagree with it ... if i want to donate to charity then i'll donate .. not asking at the supermarket check out ..when i wouldnt be sure its going to a charity that i want to support ..

Re: How do you feel?
 

Perhaps what we need is a badge that we can wear when shopping?

Something reasonably polite but firm,


Though which Charity/Charities deserve the monies gained from buying such an item may make this just a little complicated.
:)