grobelaar
17th March 2003, 14:52
Last Friday in the UK, they had Red Nose Day, dunno if they do these in other countries, but essentially it’s a big televised charity drive. People do fundraising events in the week or so leading up to the event – then they have a whole evening of comedy and celebrities doing turns, performing one-off specials and re-hashing old faves – with the public being harassed to ring in a pledge money for good causes. All good stuff.
This year however, there was heavy corporate sponsorship – every time they announced the total raised so far they had a little bit to big up the some corporation that had offered to throw a few pence of the profits from a cup of coffee or buying some hair shampoo or summink in the direction of charity – and I can’t work out whether I like this or not – part of my says it leaves a sour taste – specially given that they were usually only throwing a couple of hundred thousand quid in – which strikes me as an advertising bargain – particularly given that it was on the BBC too – the BBC isn’t supposed to advertise – its government funded.
What do people think to Charities in general? Some do some good work, but the more recent trend of procuring money is in danger of turning people away from them its all got very corporate, with some charities gambling and losing everyone’s money on the stock exchange – has it all gone too far.
Personally without wanting to disrespect the good work that they do, but it’s my personal opinion that charity begins where government fails.
This year however, there was heavy corporate sponsorship – every time they announced the total raised so far they had a little bit to big up the some corporation that had offered to throw a few pence of the profits from a cup of coffee or buying some hair shampoo or summink in the direction of charity – and I can’t work out whether I like this or not – part of my says it leaves a sour taste – specially given that they were usually only throwing a couple of hundred thousand quid in – which strikes me as an advertising bargain – particularly given that it was on the BBC too – the BBC isn’t supposed to advertise – its government funded.
What do people think to Charities in general? Some do some good work, but the more recent trend of procuring money is in danger of turning people away from them its all got very corporate, with some charities gambling and losing everyone’s money on the stock exchange – has it all gone too far.
Personally without wanting to disrespect the good work that they do, but it’s my personal opinion that charity begins where government fails.