Real Life MMD: Friends won't sponsor me, should I say something?

Former_MSE_Andrea

Money Moral Dilemma: Friends won't sponsor me, should I say something?

I've emailed friends and family asking them to sponsor me for a very worthwhile charity. Some have replied and sponsored me but some haven't replied or just said they can't afford it. I know they have good jobs and spend on luxuries so I don't believe them. Should I say something?

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leachcroft

You have no automatic right to their sponsorship and could well jeopardize the friendship by pressing the matter. Also, although you know they have good jobs, do you know how much they already give to other causes? Although the charity you are raising funds for is very close to your heart, that doesn't mean it will be a high priority to others.

vcb1981

If people do or dont want to sponser you or give to charity, that is their own decision. It's not for you to assume that they will nor should you judge them.

Just because they have a decent amount of money doesnt mean they have to give to charity.

skylight

Its their money, doesn't matter if it a single £ or a million of them. How they spend that money is down to them, and them alone. Just because you think its a worthwhile cause, doesn't mean that others do.

You have asked, they have chosen not to donate. Perhaps a short email to all thanking those that have already donated and giving the donation link again with something along the lines of there still being time to donate if you wish. Then leave it be. You've asked and subsequently reminded those that may have wanted to donate but forgot etc. But don't go on about it. You'll lose friends faster than you can raise money.

Pee

Only if you want to lose them as a friend.

How can you know whether they can afford to sponsor you? Unless you have seen their bank statements, you don't know. Maybe they are helping family out with money, give regularly to a specific charity or have some other reason to feel they don't need to give to this cause.

Often people being sponsored makes you feel that you have to give. I try to give £10 a month to charity and average this over the year so I don't have to say no very often, however if I did say no, especially if I had told you I couldn't afford it I wouldn't want you suggesting I could do without my pint or new mascara and give that money to your cause.

aliasojo

MSE_Andrea wrote: »

Some have replied and sponsored me but some haven't replied or just said they can't afford it. I know they have good jobs and spend on luxuries so I don't believe them. Should I say something?

What are you going to say exactly?

People are actually allowed to spend their own money on the things they want to spend it on you know.

TrickyDicky

Some people will find some charities more worthy than others. Personally, if someone wanted sponsorship for an animal rescue charity, I wouldnt give them any money. But if it was for a local children's hospice, I would be more inclined to sponsor.

peachy05

What you may think is a worthwhile cause might not be to someone else. I have my own charities I choose donate to and your friends might have their own charities they prefer to donate to.

duchy

These MMD's are getting sillier-they are lack of common sense issues not MMDs

Maybe the mods are running out of material but honestly I'd rather you posted them less often than posted fillers

chog24

Er... pardon? Is sponsoring you compulsory? Are you mandating that people donate to the charity you have selected?

SERIOUSLY? I'll tell you what, how about I come and tell you how to spend YOUR money, eh?

Super_Consumer

If they are really your friends then you don't need to ask this question, just trust them. They may want to support you but may have good reasons for not doing so which you may not be aware of from they are skint, don't like your selected charity or already give to their own selected charity. From my own experience if they are real friends and want to support me they will do given the opportunity which you've done. I find it helps if I make sure there are other sponsors with small amounts pledged, say £2, to make them feel Ok about only giving this much if it's all they want to give or can afford, even if it's really me that's made the pledge.
Remember it's your experience and decision to help others don't impose it on others that way it stays fun!:j