Re-distribution of £400 refund

Pingu45

For discussion - Could a fund be set up, to allow those who consider that they do not require the £400 refund to survive financially to pay into, to facilitate a re-distribution to those that do and still will despite the announcement of the energy price cap freeze?

[Deleted User]

Could? yes.  Will? no.  Should?  much more complicated question.

Bluntly, I don't think there would be enough direct demand for this sort of function for either a charity or government body to set up something so specific.  It's likely that there would just be noises about "giving to an appropriate local charity" or such.

What_time_is_it

I'd advise getting down to your local food bank this winter and seeing what you can do to help.
Direct action is always better than a cash donation and you will be helping people immediately.

MWT

There are plenty of energy charities already out there happy to accept donations...

GaleSF63

I expect many who don't need it will "redistribute" it themselves and would prefer to do it according to what they choose, eg local need, rather than hand it to the big organisations.

uk1

Pingu45 said:

For discussion - Could a fund be set up, to allow those who consider that they do not require the £400 refund to survive financially to pay into, to facilitate a re-distribution to those that do and still will despite the announcement of the energy price cap freeze?

Are you giving away £400 and need help?

You might find that those who can afford to give up their £400 might be able to conclude for themselves how to give it away without any help from others. 

brewerdave

Funnily enough I was musing about this earlier today .For example our local children's hospice has made it on to the National news because their energy bill could go up to £600k pa. I suspect a lot of people would like to see their £400 go direct to this sort of good cause without touching their accounts BUT will they make a £400 charitable donation instead ??

wolvoman

For discussion - Could a fund be set up, to allow those who consider that they do not require the £400 refund to survive financially to pay into, to facilitate a re-distribution to those that do and still will despite the announcement of the energy price cap freeze?

But those that do need the £400 are already receiving it.

wolvoman

brewerdave said:

Funnily enough I was musing about this earlier today .For example our local children's hospice has made it on to the National news because their energy bill could go up to £600k pa. I suspect a lot of people would like to see their £400 go direct to this sort of good cause without touching their accounts BUT will they make a £400 charitable donation instead ??

Surely it's better if they do see it touching their accounts as the donation then will be worth £500 instead of £400 because of gift aid.

GingerTim

Mine is going to the local food bank. Job done, and Gift Aid included as @wolvoman notes.

uk1

GingerTim said:

Mine is going to the local food bank. Job done, and Gift Aid included as @wolvoman notes.

You might be interested in giving a glance to The Felix Trust.   This route to “food bank” support will give much more leverage to your contributions.  They basically receive free food from growers, manufacturers and supermarkets and redistribute it all.  So they supply free food to food banks, and schools for free onward distribution on “open market days” where those that need it pick up bags of fresh food and have their own kitchens where they convert the free ingredients into cooked nourishing meals.  They are largely staffed by volunteers and although started in `London their model is expanding out throughout the UK.  And I like that people that need food help don’t have to beg or are limited by being put forward or limited.  I think it also helps with homelessness and keeping warm because food is a greater priority to most people that need help than rent or heating.

In summary your contribution will feed a multiple of the number of people you reach via simple food bank contributions. 

And gift aid is available.