Unfortunately things have got out of hand. There are of course many worthy causes for which money might be raised, and I have little doubt that there are multiple charities already in existence for each and every cause you may come up with. With 165,000 registered charities in the UK, the word 'Charity' is no longer a useful term in any regard at all. Someone doing something good for charity is not necessarily a useful undertaking these days, nor is it necessarily as charitable as you might at first think.
The vast majority of 'charities' are in fact little more than entities wanting a tax break, displaying a minimal basis of attempting something good or useful as a qualification for their status. The uncontrolled expansion of the market is nuts, and unlike the world of business and commerce, charities preserve themselves ahead of any thought for the cause. Where are the mergers? Where is the cost-saving in the charity world?
Anyway, the big ones are now intent on treating donations as transactions, with no focus on the fund raising tactics other than 'playing the numbers'. This is evidenced so well by the TV adverts, which of course cost a fortune. I personally have little desire to encourage them to fritter a fortune on adverts which are seemingly justified as soon as the charity concerned gets a penny more than the outlay on them. Ludicrous. This is similar to someone wanting to raise money for saving the Lesser Spotted Guacamole via sponsorship, but the cost of the trip to Peru has to be taken out of the money raised. Basically, pay for someone's holiday!
The government need to revisit the charitable benefits regime, and encourage some consolidation in the sector. Cost savings through mergers would reduce wastage massively, and there would be much more going to the good causes. As things stand, it's a fucking farce. They are all competing with each other to vie for our money, instead of there being a combined effort to improve the percentage of money that is available actually going to do good, rather than simply pay for offices, staff, cars, visits and numerous jobs. This 'big business' then gets breaks to clutter high streets with stores, which are staffed by volunteers.
I suggest that if there are, say, 50 charities for a cause, then there are probably 50 sets of offices, photocopiers, phone systems, stationery cupboards, etc. If there were a single entity for that good cause, then I guarantee less would be wasted on running costs. The whole thing is a mess.
The real disgrace is the uncontrolled use of the word 'Charity'. These are businesses!
Of the adverts touting good causes, some want a lot, some less but on a rolling basis. Anyway, here are some of the adverts that of course need to be paid for by your DD or text.
Salvation Army - £19.00
Dogs Trust - £5.00
Childline - £5.00
Wateraid - £2.00 per month
Samaritans - £5.00
Save the Children - £2.00 per month
Macmillan - £5.00
Unicef - £3.00
Blue Cross For Pets - £5.00
British Heart Foundation - £3.00 per month
Great Ormond Street Hospital - £3.00 per month
NSPCC - £3.00 per month
Sponsor a Donkey Sanctuary - £2.00 per month
Actionaid - £5.00
Guide Dogs For The Blind - £1 per week to 'sponsor a puppy'
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