Comic Relief - What happened....

aileth

nicebiscuits wrote: »

I'm actually quite shocked at people's attitudes on here. I think the very simple fact is children are dying in Africa and we are very lucky not to be in their situation. In the words of Bono, "well tonight thank God it's them instead of you", are very apt.
Comic relief does make a difference and they did show clips to show what had been done with money donated previously. There are awful things happening to people in this country but never as bad as they are in third world countries. Cannot believe that my opinion seems to be in the minority on here.

I don't think anyone denies awful things are happening in third world countries, definitely not. And sure it'll make a difference, but definitely NOT £75,000,000 worth of difference which is what they try to tell you.

However, what is disgusting that they brag that they've made millions and millions, have celebs begging you to donate who probably haven't given a penny themselves, and barely any of that figure will actually be put into practice in Africa itself and instead be used to light a fat cat's cigar.

When I donate, I want to KNOW my money is being used for the people that need it and not to line someone's pockets.

The best thing for Africa to be honest are some amazing people in this country who fundraise, take the money over there and put it into practice directly into the community (Or with vaccinations with the aid of the red cross), definitely not some 7-8 hour vomit-a-thon where god knows where your tenner will end up.

nicebiscuits

I take the points of the above posters, I just think some of the opinions expressed have seemed quite harsh.

paulofessex

nicebiscuits wrote: »

I'm actually quite shocked at people's attitudes on here. I think the very simple fact is children are dying in Africa and we are very lucky not to be in their situation. In the words of Bono, "well tonight thank God it's them instead of you", are very apt.
Comic relief does make a difference and they did show clips to show what had been done with money donated previously. There are awful things happening to people in this country but never as bad as they are in third world countries. Cannot believe that my opinion seems to be in the minority on here.

That may be, however as l mentioned before, 25 years we as a nation has been raising the funds and the same issues arise. But what pressures have been put upon the leaders of these countries to actually take steps to relieve some of the issues.

It could be argued that those leaders are causing a human rights disaster to those within their country by allowing children to die in such circumstance.

As long as other countries are going to raise funds, those leaders will not do anything a part from surrounding themselves in luxury whilst the poor starve and die.

This is l understand is an argument that can go on and on, we really do need to deal with our own issues in the UK and only then when we are sure that our own citizens are supported and protected should we then offer aid to others.

As a parent l was forced to donate to Red Nose day via my childs school i.e. Non -School uniform day, THREE days in a row, £1 per day, now l would prefer to donate that to the local hospice but no, your forced to pay it otherwise your child will be the odd one out.

As l said this debate can go on and on, we all have our own opinions.

battleborn

We should just raise money for people in the UK, these third world nations will never change.

Abbafan1972

I gave up on Comic Relief years ago. Has-been celebs attempting to re-ignite their careers by pleading us to give much as we can "however small", when the average Joe Bloggs would take years to earn what they would probably earn in a week.

All this money supposedly raised and where does it all go? Nothing is ever going to change in these third world countries, as long as the population keeps on growing at the rate it is.

There are so many people in this country living in poverty (I'm not talking about the work-shy that cream off the system) and I think we should be helping them. Our government gives so much out on foreign aid anyway, can't understand it when there are so many cuts being made to the NHS etc.

My kids went to school dressed up in red and gave the mandatory £1 each, that's your lot I'm afraid!

Torry_Quine

I have never watched these programmes and in the past have been villlified for my views so it's interesting to see what people are saying here. I don't need a bunch of celebrities to try and guilt-trip me into giving money as I already give to those charities I wish to support.

System

The fact of the matter is that the majority of people who post on here are thrifty money savers. Therefore any post about giving to charity goes the same way as any thread on tipping.

People always have very good excuses on here to justify why they don't spend.

Frankly its down to personal choice, donate or don't donate. It's not a big issue.

sillygoose

goater78 wrote: »

The fact of the matter is that the majority of people who post on here are thrifty money savers. Therefore any post about giving to charity goes the same way as any thread on tipping.

People always have very good excuses on here to justify why they don't spend.

Frankly its down to personal choice, donate or don't donate. It's not a big issue.

Shh! don't mention the Big Issue... you will start the discussion on the Romanian maf.ia :shhh:

Caitlin_Bree

As several other people have said, having children is a way of guaranteeing that they'll have someone to take care of them when they are unable to work themselves.

From what I gather after reading information by workers from Medecins Sans Frontieres and the like.
As the majority of money goes into feeding/treating the symptoms of the starving and emergency stricken, there is seldom enough to actually right the cause of the problem (providing wells, irrigation, the means to grow crops etc).
This is why it doesn't seem to end.

The charities that deal with problems like this are aware that they're stuck in a cycle. They deal with one emergency and before long there is another one. Unfortunately there is neither the time nor the money to take stock and deal with it from a neutral, rather than negative, position.

JohnG

ThumbRemote wrote: »

Since you claim to have knowledge of this, please could you provide the names of the aid charities where 90% or the vast majority of their money goes to management costs?

I believe Olias has a good point but doubt the figures suggested are quite the norm however, I looked into a fairly well known Charity's account info on the net a little while back when heard about a very dodgy couple that were linked/involved in the running of it - I was very shocked to see the sort of money that was set aside for directors salaries. As a cryptic clue to the charity "They sure Trousered a Generous wad"