Children and sponsorship - where do you draw the line?

Tropez

I would draw the line at the time that any kid I don't know knocks on my door asking for money (or whatever they're after at Halloween).

And I would regard some kid who happens to live on the same street as me as one I don't know.

ellesbellesxxx

I am a Teacher and we always specify to children that they should only ask people they know - friends and family, not go knocking on people's doors. There is NEVER a minimum they need to raise - some people will never be able to raise any money and they are never discriminated against. This definitely sounds dodgy, please contact the school - they could be targeting vulnerable people too.

74jax

I don't do any sponsorship, whether it's for friends or kids it doesn't matter.

My dad has terminal cancer, I support cancer charities myself monthly, and just say sorry to anyone that asks. I've never been made to feel bad.

If the child pulls a sad face then tough, but I am quite firm in this due to my dad. I would say sorry but no.

2gorgeousgirls

We used to get this all the time, not just for school but for sports clubs, etc. Eventually I started saying no. I felt really bad the first few times but now it doesn't cause me a thought.

My own two children come home with sponsorship forms and I have never let them go round the doors. Their grans and aunts donate £1 each and I give them £10 so they take in £17. If the school isn't happy with that then tough (although I have to say the school have never put a minimum on the forms).

With the exception of the Poppy Appeal, I don't donate on the street or at shopping malls.

I also hate charity bag packing at supermarkets. Although this is more to do with having bread squashed by a multi-pack of beans!

We donate to our chosen charities through our salary and that's it.

barba

I give £50 pm min to the local school's sponsored events / charities.

The amount being asked is very reasonable.

You will never gauge a fair opinion on a 'money saving' website forum

gunsandbanjos

barba wrote: »

You will never gauge a fair opinion on a 'money saving' website forum

What a ridiculous thing to say. Just because it's a money saving site doesn't mean we give nothing to charity.

Being harangued monthly at your door and made to feel bad about not giving a minimum of £30 to this "charity" is not on.

I give frequently to charities that are close to my heart/family. I have no qualms about saying no to charities that hold no interest/connection to me as I know I give to ones I do care about.

Buzzybee90

barba wrote: »

I give £50 pm min to the local school's sponsored events / charities.

The amount being asked is very reasonable.

You will never gauge a fair opinion on a 'money saving' website forum

No, no it's not.

Especially to some nameless 'charity'.

I detest chuggers, being pressured into giving to charity is no charity at all.

duchy

barba wrote: »

I give £50 pm min to the local school's sponsored events / charities.

The amount being asked is very reasonable.

You will never gauge a fair opinion on a 'money saving' website forum

:rotfl::rotfl:

Just looked back at this poster's past posts
This kind of trolllike response is standard.

theoretica

barba wrote: »

I give £50 pm min to the local school's sponsored events / charities.

The amount being asked is very reasonable.

You will never gauge a fair opinion on a 'money saving' website forum

If you want to support the school or its charity efforts it might be more secure to do it directly, perhaps associated with the name of the child or children who asked you than to hand money to the child. That way the child gets the credit (from their point of view) or the scolding depending on how you word the letter and you are sure the money goes to the school.

Spendless

Of all the money raising events that my kids schools did, sponsorship was the one I detested the most. That's because though I was happy to support, I didn't see why any of my friends/family/neighbours/workmates etc should be asked by us or our children to give money. I used to tell kid I'd give £x and that's what they'd take in. If kids were embarrassed about only having one name on the form. I'd write down several names and split the amount between them.

The only bit I think is possibly true and the kids aren't puling a fast one, is where you say they are raising money for X and you check out the school's website and it's genuine but no charity named. My kids old Primary sponsored 2 children in Uganda and have done for several years. I know the names of the kids, have seen letters and photos they send but I don't know the name of the charity who the school initially approached about sponsoring them as it's not mentioned anywhere.

barba wrote: »

I give £50 pm min to the local school's sponsored events / charities.

The amount being asked is very reasonable.

You will never gauge a fair opinion on a 'money saving' website forum

Ha, I'm very used to people on here being nothing like anyone I ever meet in RL;):p:rotfl: but I've not come across in the flesh who gives that amount to the local school.