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

deborah007

Shiva42 wrote: »

Its fairly typical of the stingy small minded section of society (and is why we presently have the Tories in again) to go with the "I'll do what I want with my money" lecture. You are (nearly) all missing the main points here -
1. Just GIVE something, we're talking about charities here and they are suffering like you wouldnt believe at the moment because of politicians and bankers. And chairites and their staff and volunteers actually have the courage and passion to go out there every day and actually DO something for other less fortunate (less well off) people! You can afford it, and even if you dare to try and say you can't, just dont stuff the next takeaway down your throat.
2. The reason you think the questionner shouldnt say anything is that you, and therefore by inference her friends, are mean selfish people and you couldn't care less - shame on you!
3. The other level on which to look at this is that it is a friend asking for a favour and for support, so just give a fiver and think yourself lucky that you know someone who is not a selfish bstard and is out there doing and giving when you can't be bothered to.

Shiva42 - That is a brave stance to take and I think many would agree with you. Personally I don't agree with you but I will defend your right to express your view!

I am in a fortunate position that I can (and do) donate to charities that I support and I can sponsor people when I feel it is appropriate. If one of my friends or colleagues emailed me a request and then emailed me again if i didn't respond i would be annoyed and then not contribute to this or any future event they take part in.

One of my colleagues recently took part in a triathlon and emailed people before the event and then again afterwards to tell us how she had done. I sponsored her afterwards and many people did the same. Maybe the OP could do something similar?

D x

tallgirld

Shiva42 wrote: »

Its fairly typical of the stingy small minded section of society (and is why we presently have the Tories in again) to go with the "I'll do what I want with my money" lecture. You are (nearly) all missing the main points here -
1. Just GIVE something, we're talking about charities here and they are suffering like you wouldnt believe at the moment because of politicians and bankers. And chairites and their staff and volunteers actually have the courage and passion to go out there every day and actually DO something for other less fortunate (less well off) people! You can afford it, and even if you dare to try and say you can't, just dont stuff the next takeaway down your throat.
2. The reason you think the questionner shouldnt say anything is that you, and therefore by inference her friends, are mean selfish people and you couldn't care less - shame on you!
3. The other level on which to look at this is that it is a friend asking for a favour and for support, so just give a fiver and think yourself lucky that you know someone who is not a selfish bstard and is out there doing and giving when you can't be bothered to.

Shiva42 If charities are suffering because of bankers and politicians then THEY should sort it out. Why should everyone else pay for it?

Assuming that everyone is mean and selfish is quite frankly ludicrous. How many people do you know in this forum? Shame on you too!

And I will continue to "do what I want with my money" LOL!!!

tommytynan123

Say nothing
BUT after the event hold a small sponsors party for those that did.

OSMUM

Are you so busy congratulating yourself on your own saintliness that you have no idea how insensitive your question is? I am so glad to see that mostly everyone replying is appalled at the suggestion. Have you considered that you might send this to a friend who is silently worrying about their job security as so many people are just now?
Send a thank you e-mail. Give the website address again and then shut up.

babushkava

Andrea, would it be better if your friends spoke plainly and just said, re sponsoring your chosen good cause, "no, I don't want to"? I think that if you want to support the charity, you should not expect your friends or relatives to take the same view. So, I would certainly not remind them.

Two people whom I have deliberately distanced myself from, recently, are one who always wants a favour and sometimes that is a contribution to her current favourite charity. The second sent a sponsorship form with her Christmas card with a message to the effect that 'I know that you will want to sponsor my son X in his cross-country cycling marathon as it is for SUCH a worthwhile charity.' Christmas card list is minus her name from now on.

RadoJo

I have to agree that sponsoring someone to do something that they would like to do is a system that I find galling - I am not interested in sponsoring someone to realise a lifelong dream or go on an adventure holiday unless they are making a significant contribution to the charity themselves. There is nothing virtuous about enjoying yourself at other people's expense, even in the name of a charity.

r0ughsedgem

Absolutely not ! It's no business of yours how your friends spend their money, just as it's no business of theirs how you spend your time. You chose to do something for charity, they didn't.

Next time ask them face to face, you might get a better response.

Charles_Daw

What part of they are not interested in sponsoring you do you not understand?

faerie~spangles

What planet is the OP on?

Ebenezer_Screwj

You should not say anything at all. This is an arm-twisting practice on people who may not even support your chosen charity and frankly a cheek if you challenge their lack of interest. I give regularly to charities of my own choice and always firmly decline to participate in sponsored activities.