Charities

[nightshade]

Are there any particular charities that you support?

Have you ever done any big charity event, like a marathon, if not would you like to?

I would like to do a big event like a trek or something, but the charities that seem to do those all ask for thousands in order to do it, and I don't think I would be comfortable asking people to donate that much money. I did do a volunteer month in Argentina a few years ago, but paid for all that myself. That wasn't really a charity event though, I did help out in an orphanage, but found that they didn't really need as much help as I'd thought they would.

I've also done Race for Life before and plan to do it again.

 

[Nix]

I've done a few Race For Life's in honour of my Mum.

 

[Xin Rong]

To be completely honest, I am very skeptical about most charities, especially the bigger ones. I think way too much of their donate money goes into paying staff higher than average salaries, and that is based on my own observations.

That being said, I love volunteer work. I tend to keep it local though. I currently volunteer for a few charities, one aims to promote the inclusion of children with special educational needs into pre-school provision, another helps to help a child 'read, grow and succeed' by trying to get children to read for fun, and then I do loads of other things connected with my job, which involves working within the post 18 special needs and disabled community.

It is really rewarding, I would definitely recommend that anyone who is thinking of volunteering, just do it, you will more than likely love it!

 

[ILLYRIAN]

One of the problems with doing a larger event is all the extra work involved. I did a motorcycle ride some years back, having someone on hand in case of a motorcycle breakdown wasn't cheap.
If you organise a trek just getting the insurance for the event can cost a lot, then there's the drinks en route and people to hand the drinks out, the first aid services an ambulance or two on stand-by.
Selling donated books at a car boot sale will be easier and cheaper, the Publishers might be happy to get rid of some books some el-cheapo CD's and DVD's.

 

[November]

I have one local charity that I support, I do a lot of volunteer work there and any extra gear I have gets donated as well as money when we are fundraising. Volunteering is the best way to support charities in my opinion, you are helping out directly, instead of no knowing where your money is going. Plus it is rewarding and helps your local community.

I've had a few friends who have done the orphanage thing, had to pay a lot of money and stay in crap conditions for not very much actual work for the needy. I'd steer well clear of those and discourage anyone thinking about it.

I am very wary of overseas charities, just read too much about where the money actually goes and not much of it is to the people in need.