URGENT: SE Asian Flood Disaster - Donate Money

Sofa_Sogood

Good call hesjane. Surprising what these penny pots add up to.

I'm finally going to bite the bullet and get rid of all but about a dozen cd's out of a couple of hundred, about 3 or 4 hundred books that I can't possibly find time to read. And countless videos that never see the light of day.

Oxfam or similar will be getting them. Then I'll start on the wardrobe stuff. I'm a firm believer (but only recently realised) that decluttering the house can declutter the mind.

So it's all going ;D

Phew ... I feel like I've been to an AA meeting but for "possessions" instead of booze ... "my name's Sofa and I'm a collector of meaningless objects

(Might keep a few hardbacks now I've thought about it!) ;D

balgobin

Have made my donation via DEC- but looking to the long term, have decided that all friends and family birthday cards and presents will be brought via the world vision wedsite keeping the donations little and often. Which will keep it managable for me.

littlemissfrugal

I've been lurking here since just before Christmas, and it's nice that people pull together in times of crisis.

However it's a shame that it takes a crisis. Since the Tsunamis hit there have been more deaths in the rest of the third world through their daily struggle against poverty and hunger that throug this force of nature.

In the spirit of the board - Quick! doate while you can. But afterwards why not think about helping raise the rest of the third world from their struggles? Personally I sponsor a child through World Vision. Everyone has causes that touch themselves in different ways. Consider longer term commitment..

littlemissfrugal

:-[ re above quote sorry im learning.....

couldn't agree more had similar thoughts myself today .. lets help with now and keep an eye on the long term maybe that will be some good to come out of this appalling event..

p.s is there a practice forum for divvys like me to play with ?

competitionscafe

One of the smaller charities working in the area is Merlin; they say that 95p of every pound donated is spent directly on their programmes:
http://www.merlin.org.uk/Main.aspx?PageID=43

http://www.merlin.org.uk/Main.aspx?PageID=1

£10 can buy 2000 chlorine tablets to make water safe to drink.

They are also part of the DEC umbrella organisation - I think on the bbc news last night they gave a similar figure for DEC (94 or 95%) as going directly on aid. http://www.dec.org.uk/

--
Also; regarding the point about doing something over the longer term, a number of charities will accept monthly donations by direct debit from as little as £2 (less than the price of a pint of beer) :

eg:

Médecins Sans Frontières
http://www.uk2.msf.org/donations/DirectDebit.htm

You can also use CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) to set up a charity account; give Charity Gift Vouchers ; leave money in your will; or set up Tax-effective payroll giving (Give As You Earn).
http://www.cafonline.org/individual/default.cfm

--

Re the cash or goods question, there is an article today on the bbc site explaining why cash is the best option:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4142601.stm

And re volunteering; "Oxfam is urging people who cannot give money to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) fund to volunteer time at some of the 900 Oxfam shops across the country, which have been open to accept cash donations. It is are asking for 10,000 volunteers".

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Milex

Just got back & read the many heartwarming posts here. We've popped our £100 to the DEC via our Charities Aid Foundation account - a very efficient way of donating to any UK charities at any time; now worth an extra £28.21 thanks to all you taxpaying peeps out there.

BUT - saddened to see that some scumbags are already dreaming up ways to take advantage of public generosity - wondered how long it would take 'em to crawl out! See:

Looks like retailers are starting to get the right idea, https://www.7dayshop.com are giving £1 for every order placed so lets hope that more places follow - especially the bigger highstreet retailers.
Forget https://www.7dayshop.com being generous and giving £1 for every order - all they have done is to add £1 onto the shipping charges so actually it is you donating the money - they are doing nothing and getting good advertisement for it >:(

Other slimebugs in the news this weekend: the thieves who stole Salisbury cathedral's tsunami collection box; the moron in Lincolnshire who sent hoax e-mails to supposed tsunami victims' relatives.

Help to expose & stamp out the scammers: Name & Shame them on this BB.  Anyone come across any other tsunami surcharges? ("tsurcharges"??)

crana999

Just remembered another way you can donate for free - if you send me your email address (send me a private message) I can refer you to mutualpoints.com:

"Refer a friend to us using the form below, and for each one that registers we will donate £1.00 to Oxfam. When each one registers we will email you confirmation that Oxfam have been given £1.00 on your behalf."

The form only has 10 spaces so I am not sure if it will let me refer more than 10 people, though. I should add I don't get anything for referring you!

and don't forget to refer your friends once you have joined

Anyway let me know if you want a referral.

geniusmum

I've got scraps of foreign currency lurking at the backs of drawers. Has anyone any idea where I can donate this to?

Former_MSE_Andrea

Regarding the text message donation DEC has confirmed you can donate £1.50 by sending a text containing the word "DONATE" to 83321. The donation is taken from your credit if on PAYG and will go on your bill if you're on contract.

crana999

I've got scraps of foreign currency lurking at the backs of drawers. Has anyone any idea where I can donate this to?

I *think* Oxfam shops will take it, although it might only be some of them - give your local shop (if you have one) a ring perhaps?

if not I usually give mine to the bureau de change, who have a thing they collect it in for charity I think. (for coins and notes below the value of what they'll exchange)