MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Would you ask for the sponsorship money back?

AgarM

I would be disappointed with the friend, then taunt them for not finishing and then recommend they match my donation to the charity which I think would be fair.

Motu_2

I would just like to add that the pay given to scientist is on the most part derisory considering the time and effort they put in getting phd etc. they get nothing like the respect and recognition they deserve and it is they who (whatever research they do ) who have given us the fantastic world we live in (and if you think the past was better go read a history book!)
i earn more as a lorry driver (dangerous goods) than most ive met so more power to them i say.
ps i give to sightsavers, a charity for people losing their sight, i wonder if the people treated by them have the same low opionion of scientists as some on here?
anyway we have all been dragged off the point ; pay the money anyway. im giving it to the charity as its profile has been raised by my friend , so i honestly wouldnt care if he/she didnt even turn up! i would have months if not years of fun mocking them!

oscarhugo

Who cares whether they actually DID the run or not? As far as I am concerned it's just a straight donation to charity - the sponsorship bit is just a gimmick, just an 'encouragement' to donate.

SilverCapo

Personally, I think if it is a worthy cause, we should just donate directly to the charity, instead of all this "sponsored XYZ" malarkey, where part of the sponsorship money actually goes to fund someone's holiday or fulfilment of their own personal goals (such as running a marathon).

I quite like harryhound's suggestion - I'd only sponsor someone if the sponsored activity itself was also something worthwhile to society (such as manning the Good Samaritan's phonelines for 24hours that harry suggested)

I have nothing against people running marathons, but I just don't agree with them using my charity donation money to do it!

[Deleted User]

Unfortunately, people don't often give to charity without a reason to do so.

If someone walked round your office and asked for 10 quid to give to charity X, would you give them it? No marathon, no bungee jump.. just pure old Tzedakah (hebrew for charity). I'm guessing the answer would be no from most people.

I'm gonna borrow a list of kinds of 'charity' from http://www.jewfaq.org/tzedakah.htm for this.

1. Giving begrudgingly
2. Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
3. Giving after being asked
4. Giving before being asked
5. Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
6. Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
7. Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
8. Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant

This list is from the Hebrew Talmud and goes from least meritorious to most.

This ethical question all depends on what kind of 'charity' you want to have - it is fairly rare that people give to charity without being asked, so the 'charity runner' is helping you give by providing you with a reason.

To all those people who want to 'get out' of paying your money to charity.. why did you want to give in the first place? Did you feel obliged or did you honestly want to give money to a worthy cause?

silversilver3

I think my response would be different if the money hadn't already goine, but if he were collecting money for his efforts afterwards - like we used to do when we did a sponsored swim and got 10p per length - I would give him the proportionate amount for the half marathon, but want proof that he is true to his word and actually follows through with the donation.

As it stands, the money has already gone, to a good cause hopefully, so there is little value in cutting off your nose to spite your face.

shedevil

Yes, yes and yes again. I'm doing the cancer research race for life in Sunderland on 11th may and I would never expect people to be out of pocket for me not doing the race. If it was a genuine reason then that's different, but tired and out the night before, give yourself a shake. Unfortunately loads of people every year don't pay in their sponsorship money. I will be, I've so far raised 334 pounds and still counting. Feel free to donate at https://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/sheenaliddle1.

ihatechoosingnames

oscarhugo wrote: »

Who cares whether they actually DID the run or not? As far as I am concerned it's just a straight donation to charity - the sponsorship bit is just a gimmick, just an 'encouragement' to donate.

I totally agree. I really am shocked that anyone at all said "no" or started making calculations i.e. "I would give them £25 because they did half of the running." :eek:
Why does it matter so much that the person completed the task?! Them running a few miles doesn't actually benefit anybody! Especially not the people/animals the charity is aiming to help. I really can't believe some of the attitudes here...

robo4711

Make him donate the same or break is legs.

robo4711

ITS A VERY GOOD PLACE TO START

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Unfortunately, people don't often give to charity without a reason to do so.

If someone walked round your office and asked for 10 quid to give to charity X, would you give them it? No marathon, no bungee jump.. just pure old Tzedakah (hebrew for charity). I'm guessing the answer would be no from most people.

I'm gonna borrow a list of kinds of 'charity' from http://www.jewfaq.org/tzedakah.htm for this.

1. Giving begrudgingly
2. Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
3. Giving after being asked
4. Giving before being asked
5. Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
6. Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
7. Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
8. Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant

This list is from the Hebrew Talmud and goes from least meritorious to most.

This ethical question all depends on what kind of 'charity' you want to have - it is fairly rare that people give to charity without being asked, so the 'charity runner' is helping you give by providing you with a reason.

To all those people who want to 'get out' of paying your money to charity.. why did you want to give in the first place? Did you feel obliged or did you honestly want to give money to a worthy cause?