Or just a GOW?

PS. bit slow to day
what is GOW?
I know I will probably kick myself

No uanbu
The charities that DH and I support has 'grown' from life events that have happened to either family or friends.
If I have odd change in my pocket then I will put in a charity tin. Pudsey bear etc.
I do however feel very uncomfortable if collectors or raffle ticket sellers are ready to pounce.
Every cause is worthy and fighting to raise much needed cash.

The envelopes that come through the post go straight in the bin unopened, I take issue with the cost of paper, envelopes, postage.

I don't mind being approached by charities, but I also have no problem in declining to contribute.
On the other hand I am always delighted when my own (homelessness) charity is approached by people and organisations wishing to support us. I live in a small town and although our work is carried out under the radar people somehow get to hear about us; I'm often humbled by people's generosity. In the past couple of months we have been chosen for the Waitrose Green counter awards, the Lions asked me to go and talk to them about our work and gave us a very generous donation and I heard today that the local Choral Society have just chosen us as the recipient of their annual Christmas concert. Plus there are some wonderful folk in local churches who give anonymously (through third parties) for particular needs.

And all the stuff that comes through the post - raffle tickets, coasters, pens, cards, calendars.

They are not supposed to approach you Squiffy

And I was asked if I wanted to donate to charity in TK Maxx this week, so it is still happening. I just smiled and said that I already donate to the charities of my choice.

I hate it when you go in a charity shop and they try to sell you a raffle ticket. This happened to me recently in the BHF shop. As a person with a heart condition I regularly support this charity by post, but you feel mean even if you are buying something in the shop.

I seem to recall that "chuggers" were working for companies and only a percentage of what they collected went to the actual charity.

A few months ago I saw someone by a stand for a charity I support and I went across to make a donation, only to be told they were not accepting money just signing people up for regular direct debits - I declined.

Why are people embarrassed to say "No"? I think it's the accosters who should be feeling embarrassed. I'd just have said "No, thanks" or "Sorry, no" (whether I like animals or not), smiled and walked on. I don't see any reason for getting in a state about it. So I think YABU

I must have missed that lemon!

That's got me thinking now though about the collectors being employed rather than volunteers. I wonder if they have to reach targets and that's why they approach people?

squiffy we had a thread about this last year and just about all were in agreement ( with you) so no need for a tin hat.
You are so right, who likes the use of emotional blackmail for charitable giving.

I love those buskers that jump on the tube always make me want to join in and ALWAYS puts a smile on my face well worth a squid .

I hate those ones who say “do you care about ...animals/children/ whatever? “ I say “Yes I do an I already give money to them”. And keep walking. Recently on the tube a group of about 4 young men got in the carriage and started playing the trumpet, banjo, saxophone , guitar , the music was great and made everyone smile, another guy with a coffee cup came round and I willingly gave them a £ for entertaining us with their talent. I know it’s probably not legal, but I prefer them to the ones who just go round saying “spare any change...” oops a bit off topic but you could argue the charity collectors are begging and I wouldn’t give money to people just begging. The buskers were a different matter and at least were entertaining.

It won't be me shooting at your tin hat as I am totally behind you.
I have actually spoken to staff in shops where I have been accosted and guilt tripped by chuggers in foyers
I want to do my shopping in peace.
These are mostly paid to do that job and are not collecting for their charitable principles.

I agree "Squiffy" - I used to collect for a cancer charity and if fortunate enough to be inside a store with a stand never approached shoppers, just smiled at them and hoped they would make a donation - some did and some didn't, they all got a smile though!

Ohh chuggers are absolutely another thing and truly awful but I haven’t seen any for ages either- one of the worst things there was trying to get you to sign up, it wasn’t just about putting some money in a tin or bucket

Why do you need a tin hat?Do you think a lot of posters will disagree with you? I don’t for one - I hate being approached about any charitable donation but have no problems with the stores allowing them in or regulated street collectors with tins. A few weeks ago M&S staff were collecting in store for MacMillan and didn’t approach any customers at all - absolutely fine

I am a great one for donating to charities but I don’t like being ‘collared’ especially those chuggers in town centres which I think has been a bit clamped down on as we don’t see so many now in our town centre Donating should be totally without pressure so I see where you are coming from and agree with you