Some Farepak Help

lil_me

I am so in 2 minds with this one. Whilst I feel for those who have lost money, as I had 2 bags of presents and my purse stolen whilst Xmas shopping last year, which was a nightmare. I wouldn't have asked others to put their hand in their pocket and help me then. Like has been said I am shocked that they have said this will ruin xmas, it's not about money.

LookingAhead

No - Christmas shouldn't be about money I agree. But as a Nation we help perpetuate it being so.

For me, this whole thing is about people having their money, how can I put it, 'legally stolen' by industry which is even more disgusting than a junkie stealing your hard earned cash to fund his habit. At least if the junkie is caught he'll (hopefully) get some justice doled out.

These scumbags will just revel in their titles and continue to laugh at the poor.

Nelski

You only have to be watching Children in Need tonight to know where you should REALLY be pledging your money - sorry if its hard but those kids need it. :mad:

Christmas will still happen whether you have your pressys or not it wont for some

newmum1

LookingAhead wrote:

I can appreciate why Tiff posted this and I can also see the points made by people that by third world standards, Farepaks customers are still better off. (And I agree that journalism does make your toes curl sometimes!)

However it's easy for us to say this from a distance.

Clearly we all realise that it is mostly people who earn very little that rely on payments to hampers through the year to get some special food in for Christmas. They can ill afford to lose any money let alone up to £2000. (source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6140660.stm)

I think it's utterly disgusting that people can be let down like this and it is wholly insensitive for "Sir" Clive to be swanning it in hotels that cost more per night than some people earn in a month. Check out the tarriffs for the hotel he is staying in:

http://www.alvearpalace.com/v2/corp_tarifas.php

I feel ashamed of the British system that allows people to get titles like 'Sir' when things like this happen, It's not about being noble in the true sense of the word or doing great things for your country.

It's all about money and the laws in England do not protect those who need it most.

Sure we can keep perspective on this and say these people are lucky that they still have shelter, food & warmth, yes they do. But repeating that mantra to yourself over & over when you're scraping the pennies together to pay the gas bill or get the dinner in that night sometimes doesn't help.

When UK citizens get shafted by industry like this, some poor b*ggers might well end up with no shelter and that shouldn't be happening in one of the richest countries on the globe.

The point is, these people lost their money and wouldn't YOU be p*ssed off getting 4p back in the pound!?

I totally appreciate what you have said but, it is easy for journalists to make a child cry so we all feel sorry, for the families involved. We as a whole have forgotten what christmas is all about and who on earth spends £2000 on christmas, to me its these people who are on the breadline that cant really afford to be spending that type of money that have lost out, why could they not put it into a savings account and earn interest on it rather tahn some silly company like farepak. Also why should sir clive not be on holiday i would have thought that he is entitled to one regardless of how much it cost, and one would assume that his business and personal finances are separate.:rolleyes:

astonsmummy

I feel for these people but some are coming out with some right tripe! One woman said ''we cant give them anything for xmas, not even an xmas dinner'' now excuse me if i'm wrong but xmas is just over a month away, so she's saying in that month she wont be able to afford to pop to iceland, asda, wherever, pick up a bit of meat, spuds, and veggies etc?
I can understand these children crying, geese you wat all year for xmas!
I would of been the same.

seven-day-weekend

I understand that Farepak is some sort of hamper company that has gone bust, yes? (Sorry to be so ignorant).

I do think the people should get their money back, but I also think there are far more worthy causes to give charity to. Maybe the people who have lost money now have learned their lesson, will save for Christmas in a savings account, and will get it in perspective next time.

How can people spend that amount on Christmas? Especially when they say they have no money to feed their children?

Rip off by the company and wrong values from their customers.

richardvc

As usual, the one's who have the least are the one's who are hit the hardest and whilst they have my total sympathy (let's face it their money has been stolen) I am a little disturbed by the fundraising issues that seem to be Government led.

If anyone needs £2 grand for Christmas then personally I think they have their priorities all wrong and don't need a company like Farepak anyway. I sure would like to be able to save that much !

It's a shame that everyone has been quick to react about theft like this when the banks have been ripping us all off for years and Government has turned a blind eye to it !

richardvc

Tiff wrote:

Good Evening Guys
I know those of us who come on this thread are DFW and so I'm probably going to get a DFW smack on the wrist for this, but while out in the supermarket today, I saw that an appeal for donations to help victims of the Farepak Fiasco.
I saw the chairman enjoying his holiday in Argentina last night and I saw an 8 year old boy dissolve into tears this mornning at the thought of no Christmas.
These people tried to spread the cost of Christmas over a year and will probably end up with around 4p for eveery £1 invested. This is a DFW principle and while we are all in need of help, these people tried to help themselves and nearly a million people are estimated to have been affected. I hope that's why I'll be forgiven for posting this suggestion here.
I'm in no way connected with Farepak or a victim - I just think word of mouth can work miracles.
So with your permission, the address for the Farepak Responce Fund is:
www.farepakresponsefund.org.uk.
If you want to help, go to the website, and check out the options. I have next to nothing but it breaks my heart to think of all these families sitting there watching all the TV adverts for "The Best Christmas Ever" when they've even had the food taken from them.
Sorry if someone else has posted this:o Look after each other
Much Love,
Tiff xxx
Link corrected guys

Rant Time...

To be honest Tiff, they are not going to lose their Christmas Dinner but will have to get by on a tighter budget. I'm sorry but the perceived suffering doesn't work on me. I am having a tight Christmas as I did last year because I am in debt.

The irony of you seeing this in a supermarket isn't lost either - as usual any donations will be made under the name of that supermarket's customers so they can grab some free advertising.

I am sure that I will be slated for being so selfish but there are so many more deserving causes for your money. Let's be honest, no-one will suffer anything and surely it would be more appropriate to collect food parcels than money.

duncans-mum_2

I haven't got £2000 saved for Christmas, will people donate to me?

No Of Course not.

Whilst I do really, really feel for the people that have had in essence their money stolen, and respect Tiffs original post in the warmhearted spirit it is meant, why is it worse for people to lose money for Christmas, than anyone else losing money through no fault of their own at any other time of year.

The people who have lost a loved one, and there life insurance company saying one of the t's were not crossed, you are not getting a payout. Pensions, endowments. etc etc. Where is the publicity surrounding people when that happens to, and a fundraiser set up?

Yes, if it was me, I would be totally gutted to lose my savings, but a few less presents isn't the end of the world, be thankful for what you have got, your loved ones, your health, and remember those who are not lucky enough to be sharing christmas with you.

Emmzi

I just wanted to suggest that this post may be better on the charities board??