This is the event where celebrities, pop stars, sportspeople etc ask the needy to give to the needy. This means the govt will be watching and will continue with austerity policies because in reality, everyone's got loads of dosh. Everyone's got a mobile phone; a computer; a car; a flat screen tv; take foreign holidays and still have money to donate to charities in record amounts. The govt doesn't have to worry about people in poverty because the rest of the country will look after them. After all, it's only a tiny minority anyway, innit? :0)
It's easy not to give anything if that's what you think is right. Most seem happy to give a pound or two knowing that although it won't solve all the problems it might help to make small difference to someone in need