'Pick this site’s charities for the next year.' Poll results/discussion

The_kid.

If the website feels that they are all worthwhile, then fine.. split the money 'x' ways and distribute it accordingly and equally. But for the love of god, haven't we got enough gauche and grubby 'vote now!' programmes as it is, without being encouraged to scramble to the trough at the expense of premature babies simply because we think excluded kids are more important? The causes deserve far more than being used in such an unedifying manner.

If I want to work for, or donate to a cause then I will do so - I do not need to be spoonfed by a patriarch needing to offset a charitable tax benefit or wanting to generate profile and traffic. I happen to think that 2 or 3 of these causes ARE more worthy than others on the list, but I will not vote for them out of principle, because some of those on that list do not have the critical mass of public opinion behind them that others clearly have. It must be dissheartening in the extreme to losing out to well oiled on line campaigns designed to steer people here. Has anyone considered THAT cost?

All in all, relegating suffering people's needs to something like voting for Gareth Gates over 'that other bloke' is a grubby and tacky exercise, sorry.

FoolOnTheHill_3

Not a single environmental charity on the shortlist! Moneysavers aren't green? Come on shortlisters, wake up, the planet's dying.

bps666

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bps666

For those of you who have decided to take it upon yourself to drag politics into what is without doubt a very noble proposal by Martin. Please bear in mind that our servicemen did not vote to go into Iraq and Afghanistan. Those who have received life threatening and disabling injuries did not vote to receive them but you can bet a pound to a pinch of s**t that every last one of them would stand up and if necassary die to defend your right to free speech in respect of this poll. The Armed Forces do not pick their fights, the government do and it is a sorry state of affairs that the government do not provide the care and treatment that our injured (physically and mentally) servicepeople need and that is why Help for Heroes came about. I wish that the government did provide enough support so that no-one should come cap in hand - unfortunately they don't! Every charity listed is worthy of your support and it is thanks to the efforts of people like our armed forces that you have the freedom to pick and express your opinion but please do not denigrate this forum into 'my charity is more deserving than yours' or a 'government bashing exercise'. Pick your charity and hope for the best

littlemissmoney

columbini1 wrote: »

I notice that Samaritans is not doing too well in the poll.This is a charity that finds it very difficult to raise funds,as,by its very nature,it has to remain anonymous to the general public.Therefore it is impossible to do fund-raising events as volunteers have to protect their identity.

Hi columbini1

Sorry if I'm being really thick and missing something, but why do Samaritans volunteers have to remain anonymous and why can't they fund raise?

P.S. I voted Samaritans

gomann

With so many Charities competing for the 'Charity Pound' it's very difficult to make choices that exclude others. I work for/with and/or actively support [I think that's correct?] something like half a dozen, ranging from a major National to a small one that's hardly showing on anyone's radar. I can't, and won't, argue about the list being presented here because that was arrived at in a fair manner. I can, and will, vote for the one I personally wish to support today and that's between me and the Ballot Box ;-)

BlueSky21

Well, compared to a couple of years ago - probably.

But compared to watching, helpless, as the crop you planted to get your family through the next year washed away in a hurricane, or jumping out of your home just before the earthquake flattens it and everything in it - are things here really that tough?

That's why my vote goes to Shelterbox.
This charity gets in fast, every time and saves lives and communities.

http://www.shelterbox.org/home.htm

alwaysonthego_2

mean_momma wrote: »

gonzolagonda wrote: »

any consequences of wars entered into by our government should be borne by our government, including proper care, treatment and compensation for those injured. It really shouldn't be dependent on charitable donation.


Yes, by all means, a small, caring, charitible trust, but the government should be responsible for generous basics in the first instance.

The Citizens Advice Bureau deals mainly in advising on government benefits which should also be a government funded service.

Speaking as a cab adviser we don't just advice on goverment benefits, it can be a range of issues such as employment and debt.

One of the good things about the cab is that we are independant and not attached to the goverment, which means that we are on the client's side rather than the goverment's and we can act as a go between.

Please vote for the CAB because with more money we can help more people.

mean_momma

alwaysonthego wrote: »

mean_momma wrote: »

Speaking as a cab adviser we don't just advice on goverment benefits, it can be a range of issues such as employment and debt.

One of the good things about the cab is that we are independant and not attached to the goverment, which means that we are on the client's side rather than the goverment's and we can act as a go between.



Well, the one is West London that I know of largely dealt in benefits advice, - or so I was told by a paid advisor. They got some sort of funding and were always having to keep up targets in order not to lose this money.

fatbelly

Pleased to see Shelterbox making some progress in the vote. This is still a small charity with a worldwide focus - sending boxes of essential kit to disaster areas from their warehouse in Helston, Cornwall. On the wonderfully named Water-ma-Trout industrial estate.

This was started by the Rotary Club in Helston. Seems to get supplies where they're needed faster than the 'big boys' do. Already this month they've sent aid to China (730 tents), Myanmar (35 tonnes) and Sudan (100 boxes)