Begging For Money.....

[Smowball]

Just curious as to your opinions. When I was younger I was out wth my mum & a schoolgirl came up to her and asked for 50p. My mum said why and the girl said she needed to make an urgent phonecall. So my mum gave it to her. I said afterwards what if she was having you on? And my mum said well if she was then I've only lost 50p and if she was genuine then I've helped her. It's always stuck with me.

I'm a soft touch and if someone begging/ homeless looks genuine I've been known to go into local shop and buy them a sandwich/ drink/ scarf/ gloves.(from the pound shop)

So earlier today I was at my local shops when there was a young guy standing in the rain. He looked cold, wet, and tired. He definitely wasn't drunk or drugged Up. He was asking people really politely for £1. Just £1. Everybody was ignoring him and I walked past but I just couldn't ignore him. He was about my sons age. So I walked past and got £2 out of my purse and put it in my pocket. Then I walked back and just handed it to him and he thanked me profusely and went straight into the cafe behind him and went to the counter. I've no idea what he got and am assuming he'd already had a few pence on him already but well there you go.......

Call me a wally but that's just me...... am I the only softy??

[B00]

"am I the only softy?? "

No, probably not, but i wouldn't have.

[hc4361]

I'd have done the same, Smow. I am a supporter of the local charity for homeless young people and have seen the real difference a helping hand can make to some.

[Eleena]

Used to Smow, but I prefer to give direct to an actual charity for the homeless in my area as advised.

[webbo3]

I rarely give money but ill buy some food, sandwiches, crisps, and a drink or something else depending on the weather.


Dave.

[Smowball]

I do also work with local homeless charities and help them collect coats, sleeping bags etc which are then driven into central London and distributed.

[TWR]

That's what I would do Smow, a sarni / drink.

[webbo3]

I did that in the winter smowball, i gave a homeless guy some clothes, a woolly hat, a coat and some gloves.

Dave.

[TWR]

I used to give to a few charities that was until they had the buddy cheek to ask for more, I now give to Air Ambulance in our area, the tin Rattlers can *** off as apart from being illegal they are annoying.

[Jackdaw33]

The trouble is you just never know whether it's a scam or genuine need. Faced with a thinly-clad youngster shivering in the bleak midwinter I think that most of us would err on the side of charity.

[TWR]

That ******* was not the F Word. B@@@@@er off

[Eleena]

Of course Jackdaw.

[Baldric]

I do quite a bit for a Homeless Ex-Service Charity, but wouldn't give money in the street even to them.

[hereIam]

TWR I've been a 'tin rattler' and I certainly was NOT illegal ....

[Mamyalynne]

You react on the day and how the situations presents itself, so some days, yes I'd have helped him on other days I may not have been able to.

[Eleena]

Neither would I, I would on the other hand buy food.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, I too have done Charity collections - always full legal with documentation.


Never rattle the tin though , that's a no no.

[TWR]

Here, I was of the understanding if a charity person rattled his / her tin in front of you it was a form of begging, that's what I refer to & I understand the statement is right.

[hc4361]

I donate to Air Ambulance by direct debit every month, and twice they have phoned me asking for more, and once called at the door asking for more.
All the charities do it.

[Baldric]

For the record

///Any collecting buckets or tins must be sealed, and should clearly display the name of the charity or fund. **You may not shake collecting tins**///.

http://www.raisingfunding.co.uk/street-collecting-what-are-rules.html

[hereIam]

I did not rattle it under 'people's noses'! I just stood there with it and rattled it now and then for effect and for me Mamya it was a yes yes .....