Raising money

[doomey!]

Need the advice of our learned Answer bank people.

Basically I am trying to raise some money for a neighbour who is in a financial crisis. (I will save you the sob story)

Now obviously this would not fall within , raising money for a charity, and being it is me acting on my own trying to raise the money, (looking to raise about 3k which is her debt) I can not apply to be a charity either (it wouldn't be worth it obviously).

Any ideas if any websites offer a service that would fall within the boundaries of what I am asking?I did think of putting a begging letter on facebook.

Any ideas? thanks.

[Count-A-Strong]

What a nice neighbour you are!
I reaIise that you have the best intentions but think you have to consider causing embarassing to your neighbour by bringing their debts to a wider audience. If it is the case that a lot of people already know, you don't need to register as a charity or anything similar. Could you ask the local shop / pub to put up a poster (it wouldn't have to say the persons name)?

[doomey!]

Yes I did consider the community, after all there are a fair few church's here. Sadly the benefactor has their head buried in the sand so to speak. So discretion (SP?) would be the best option here.

She did consider for bankruptcy but then it would give implications for her to loose her home..blah blah..

[wolf63]

I think that you will find that few people will donate money to such a cause - a few years ago I was in serious debt so I understand how hard it is for your neighbour.

Being cautious - make sure that you are not being 'used' - using your thoughtful nature against you.

Best thing that you can do is to drag him/her to your local CAB to see if they can help.

[what..the?]

who are the main creditors, do you know? If she was to draw up a monthly income and expenditure to show she cannot afford to repay the debt they often reduce the repayments. But if you don't ask.......

No good doing an IVA for such a small amount.

Can she sell other items in the hom?, work extra hours, start a new business offering a service to the public like ironing, cleaning, gardening, dog walking?

[marval]

I would suggest the CAB too, they are very helpful

[Jan1957]

£3,000 in debt is nothing these days but with so many people in debt I do not think many people will be interested in helping. When I was having problems these people were very good.

http://www.cccs.co.uk/

[doomey!]

Yes that's the trouble really "charity" has got harder to come by, especially with everyone being so much in dire straights them selves.

Thanks for the advice, maybe one of them consolidate your loans maybe the key, once I can get her head out of the sand *laughs*

[themas]

It is very rarely helpful to try to get out of debt by taking on more debt (i.e. a consolidation loan). Your neighbour really should go to the CAB or phone CCCS.

It is not a good idea for her to ignore this debt. If she owns a house & does ignore it, the creditors may get a County County judgement & - if she fails to pay that - could eventually get a charging order &/or an order for sale of the house.

As has been said, the amount is not all that great - it should be possible with help from CAB or CCCS for her to arrange an instalment payment plan.