I watched one of these TV adverts showing starving children in a far-off land and took up the suggestion of texting the word "CHILD" to a 5-digit number to donate £3.00. I got an immediate reply thanking me for my donation then the phone calls started. The first one was during a meeting, the next 2 while I was presenting a radio programme! Despite my urgency to get off the line, the caller endeavoured to find a time when it would be suitable to call me back but I was forced to cut them off. Finally I did get a call when I was at home from a very sweet young lady who again thanked me profusely and explained that she only wanted to tell me a bit more about what the charity was doing. I could see where this was leading and told her that if I wanted more information I could go to the website. This did not deter her however and she launched into a speech designed to pull at the heartstrings. She then came clean, gave me her name and said she was a fundraiser. I told her that I already donated regularly to a charity but she continued to tell me what a difference a regular donation from me would make to these children.
I am happy to donate money where and when I can but object to being made to feel guilty by exercising my right of choice! These are the kind of people who, if they inhabit The High Street on a Saturday morning, are called "chuggers" and now, in my home town of ReadingUK are limited in their activities. They work from a cleverly written script and receive commission on donations promised.
I know that in the current financial climate, funding for all charities in the UK is a nightmare but the big national or even international charities can afford to pay a horde of "fundraisers" while the small, local charities have to go it alone!
In future my donation to charities will be by popping money in a tin!