Hey Jack, I missed your post, I think the posts crossed.
All I was asking, was for anyone in my area, who had an old recorder which was not being used, to consider passing it on to someone who would enjoy using it. I wasn't planning anything big, just a bit of recycling! I was just hoping, at best, that a couple of people maybe found an old recorder, in their loft or garage and passed it on.
If a parent was being tight rather than genuinely hard-up, I am not really bothered, although it is a little cheeky. I don't really care if they are grasping a chance to save themselves a fiver, that much, though. It is the child's perspective, I am looking at.
My wish, was just for some children I teach, to have their own recorder to use at home. That's it, really.

We all have different priorities with our money. For some parents, a recorder is not an important one. Fair enough. You think my idea is nuts, also, fair enough. That is your opinion. No worries! :-)

If a child's parents aren't bothered about their child learning a musical instrument, I am keener that their child should be at least offered the chance by the school, providing, of course, that it doesn't cause them problems at home.
I have old pupils who come back to me and tell me about their bands they are in and music they are doing and say that now they realise that learning the recorder, actually gave them more understanding and confidence to try other musical instruments. I am not being pompous, that is just the truth, in my own personal experience.
I think children get most out of music,when they play along with others. Music should be fun. That is what I am trying to make it, to the best of my ability, for the children I work with by helping one or two, to have similar opportunities to the rest of the children. No big deal.
Soapbox climbed off and no offence meant.