Or just a GOW?

Many years ago a friend and I did a street collection for Anthony Nolan, before the charity was started. He was the same age as my son and his story really touched me. I borrowed a Pyrinean Mountain dog which brought loads of people to my collecting box thinking it was something to do with dogs!

The rules clearly stated that we were not allowed to 'Solicit' I doubt that rule has changed.

I don't put money in collection boxes, it isn't efficient. I give to charity by Gift Aid or not at all. We have two local charities which we support well and one national one which has had a monthly payment from us for as long as I can remember.

Just been to a funeral where we were asked to put money in a box for the Red Cross but I already had my cheque written with an attached note giving name and address and a request that it be gift aided.

Most charities nowadays don't want your small change, which I would be willing to give, but want you to sign up for a direct debit, which I would not consider. The first time I came across this in a supermarket I told them I couldn't afford it, they told me I could as I must have more money than whoever they were collecting for!
I haven't seen any charity requests in the post for years but the ones at the door wanting me to sign up are very pushy. I wonder how much money charities lose with their aggressive sales pitch.

I was stopped and asked to help our local hospice. Gladly I pulled out my purse, but no they couldn't accept a donation of cash. They needed a direct debit so it wasn't a donation they were after but a regular amount, a commitment till when???? I refused because that is a long term commitment. I dont want any charity to have first dibs on my money for years ahead. I do enjoy giving money right across the board to help lots of different good causes.

I make no bones about telling people collecting for charity that I either do not want to support their particular charity , or that I already have given to it.

If they are too persistent, I just walk away.

Homeless people who accost me, I do give small change, or when I was unemployed myself, I told them that and said I was sorry I could not help them, being barely able to get through the month myself.

Being an OAP is also a very good reason for no longer being able to be too charitable.

I thought that these charities had actually been told that they shouldn't ask shoppers but allow them to approach first - maybe I'm mistaken. It's horrible to feel pestered but I'm sure that many of us would like to give if we can afford to as long as we don't feel pressed into it.

Some of the collectors in town have collecting tins with labels that at are very difficult to read at a distance. Often, I am embarrassed to step closer to see what the collection is for in case it is not a charity that I do not wish to donate to.

I have 2standing orders to charities but resolved not to have any more because I resent them sending me raffle tickets , cards etc. So I am happy to put a £ in a tin without them contacting me anymore. However, I do Make a choice about what I want to support and would get cross if I was hassled. I can’t remember the last time that happened.
I have bought 3 poppies this year tho, goodness knows what happens to them!

Pamela - like you, I had a couple of standing orders but I stopped it because of the Christmas raffle (originally £5 a book of tickets, then £10 and now £20) the spring raffle, the summer raffle, the autumn raffle ...... Also I started to get lots of unsolicited begging letters from other charities - I think I ended up on a list (of suckers? ).
Now I just send a cheque - don't fill in any form so they can't trace me - shame really because they miss out on the gift aid.
And trying to get people to sign direct debits in the street - I'm not surprised gransnetters are annoyed - don't the charities realise they are alienating people?

Many years ago I took part in a street collection for a mental health charity with which I was involved. We were told just to stand there, not to rattle tins. DH and I give to charities, some of our donations are Gift-Aided and I have no qualms about walking past charity collectors particularly if they accost me. Same with chuggers.

I thought chuggers had been 'done away with' but do still see them around. I never get caught by them, but if I were accosted I'd ask them how much they give to the charity they are pushing.

My husband gave money straight from his salary every month to Save The Children. He was pestered constantly with emails and phone calls asking him to give more, he cancelled. I used to give when I saw a charity on TV asking you to text to give £5,£10 etc but same thing happened constant texts, and phone calls asking for more. Then they appear on your doorstep at nine in the evening asking for bank details for a direct debit...as if! I think those charities are their own worst enemy,too greedy.

I used to feel embarrassed when stopped and asked to give for this, that or the other charity. Now if I see people collecting or trying to sign folk up for something I get my mobile phone out, and pretend I'm making a call. If its a cause i want to donate to, I finish my call, if not my call goes on. Works every time.

I always ask collectors who want to sign me up to a direct debit if they would give their bank details to a complete stranger. I usually donate cash or send a cheque with no address .

I agree, its almost harrassment! Charities are'nt what they used to be, they're businesses with sizeable marketing departments. Nine times out of ten you'll find the people collecting are hired by the charity for their marketing skills and actually know little or nothing about the charity itself.
I spend quite a bit in charity shops and I also work in one. So I make it quite clear to these people, "I have done my bit for this week".

Living part of the year abroad and belonging to a very International Women's club my impression is that the British are very generous with their charity fund raising and donations. So congratulate yourselves.

I couldn't believe it when I went into hospital for an appointment re a serious condition and was accosted in the foyer by someone in front of an Alzheimer charity stand asking me if I knew someone with Alzheimer's. I'm afraid I was rather abrupt. When I went for [yet another] appointment there was another charity doing something similar. I don't think it's right when they don't know whether the person they are approaching is a patient or a visitor.

Just tell them you give online. I do as part of my Christmas giving and when I can afford, so I will not give in to being hassled. I don't tell them who I give to as it changes with the needs of so many. You can only do your best, and pensioners can be strapped for cash at different times of the year, eg. I have 8 birthdays before I even think of Christmas, so don't approach me until at least May!

I am a fully qualified GOW. It is not lawful to ask for donations. If approached or asked for money I always refuse. If asked do I love aimals, or whatever, I tell them to mind their own business in a very surprised/shocked tone.
Whatever charitable interests I have are my own concern.