Donations to charity

[Coldicote]

I hear on the news there is a suggestion that we should all be 'invited' to make a donation to charity whenever we withdraw money from a cash machine, also possibly when making tax returns. According to the Charity Commission website there are more than 180,000 registered charities with a total income of more than £52billion. I'm not uncharitable by nature and frequently make donations, but the *** impertinence of this idea has made me so angry I want nothing to do with it. What is your view?

[flip_flop]

Unlike you Colidcote I'm not particularly charitable by nature and therefore would always, with a clear conscience, decline the 'invitation'.

[horseshoes]

There was an appeal on nthe TV the other evening (I think it was something to do with the polar bears). It said "Send just £15 ........" £15 are they kidding?

[sara3]

if you use Paypal it says "would you like to donate £1 to... (whatever charity)" when you make a payment. I don't have a problem with it. it's a pound, and no effort. I hope many others would choose to do the same.

it's not obligatory.

[Gromit]

Most people know which charities they want to support (and those which they don't).

Who in their right might are going to donate to a pot that someone else is going to spend. I cannot see it working.

Will we have to opt into the scheme or opt out of it?
Will the trustees of the pot of money be elected or appointed by the Government?

Sounds more like a bizarre tax on using ATMs.

[China Doll]

I too would happily decline the invitation. I do give to charity but I think it's a private matter and I don't do it for the acalade or because I feel guilty so I would think nothing of ignoring the suggestion I donate, in much the same way I ignore the muppets in neon vests on tottenham court road trying to sign me up for things).

[society]

No on will force me to give away my hard-earned money if I don't want to give it away.

[LazyGun]

Given the public sector spending constraints that are coming in, this initiative does fit with Mr Camerons vision of a "Big Society", and a greater involvement of Charities and the Voluntary Sector in running various worthy causes - but given the inevitable job losses and hardships that many are going to face over the next few years, I do find this particular initiative a bit cynical.

[Gromit]

Another proposal is to round up your bills.

You Credit Card bill is £246.28, so you pay £250, the difference going to fund stuff the Government want to cut.

The timing of alk these daft proposals couldn't be worse.

[Jemisa]

By D. D. I always contributed to a Cancer charity £2 per month, I was fine with that.
Then I started to get emails asking for permission to UP it to £3. Again after a few months I was asked to UP it again to £5 per month.
I wasn't getting £5 or anywhere near £5 a month rise in my pension, I refused and withdrew the D.D. Now I give a little when I can.
I think sometimes they get too greedy.

jem

[R1Geezer]

very little of the money charities get end up benefiting the target good cause so I won't give to the charites. Any charity I give I try to give directly to the needy rather than via all the middle men. So I think it's a dam cheek to add this begging facility.

[boxtops]

I've just posted this link on another thread - IMO being coerced into donations is a lousy idea, I give to what I want to, not to what deals the Government may decide. I bet the little local charities won't get a look-in.... http://www.bitterwall...-through-an-atm/38901

[Coldicote]

What a commotion this idea is causing - I doubt if it will become established. The link given by boxtops is worth exploring and its poll results.

[wolf63]

I have chosen to give money to The Cats Protection each month - this is a charity that I believe in and which does good work. I also volunteer in an Oxfam shop and this is something that I enjoy doing.

I hate it when the collectors in town shake their collecting tins under your nose and say "it's for the children" or "it's for cancer" they are trying to obtain money by making you feel guilty (that's not the word that I am looking for though) - emotional blackmail.

I am uncertain of my feelings about donating via cash machines but, unless it is a charity that I believe in, I will not be donating via the paypal method.

[lumination]

my view is pretty much the same as yours. i donate when i can but everyone is a little bit selfish and wants to have as much money as they possibly can. all these celebs going to the thrid world and helping, thats brilliant and all but how about donating a couple of million every so often if you can. bugs me...

[Kriistine]

Most people want to retrieve their cash and go not stand around punching buttons whilst a potential mugger's standing behind you.

[Gromit]

Wolf63

Cats are estimated to kill 275million little birdies in this country every year.

http://www.rspb.org.u...ats/birddeclines.aspx

[saxy_jag]

Think I'd feel patronised by it too. I can give to my chosen charities without any prompting, thank you very much. I don't need a bank's cash machine telling me who I should give it too.

Perhaps bankers should be prompted to give away some of their nice, fat bonuses when they get their payslips.

[I.Don No]

I, too, would decline the invitation.

I refuse to be taken on a guilt trip by refusing. I donate when I want to whichever charity I want.

and remember...when a charity does something for the community it means the government doesn't have to. I would much rather our tax pounds were spent on the essentials, but it seems to me that many charities do (exceptional) essential works.

methinks DC wants the private sector and charitable donations to take over everything.