Go Fund Me AIBU or are there too many.

There are far too many charities and GFMs these days.
Almost every advertising bit between programmes etc have charities asking for money, or online the charities asking you to raise money for them rather than receive gifts on your birthday!

I've gotten so cynical with them all, tbh.
I pay to certain charities that are personal to me, but not all the time.
GFMs, hmmm VERY CYNICAL, so maybe I will but not much and not often!

I may sound harsh, I don't mean to be, but I think the 'charitable paths' have led me in this direction!!

I often donate GFM for genuine charitable causes.Have just today donated for Dementia research .
There is no way I will consider donating to people who evade buying adequate holiday insurance by not declaring true medical history.Everyone knows when all goes well many escape issues but then others show forlorn faces pleading for financial help.Many company's refuse to pay if under influence of alcohol how many consider this whilst sat binge drinking.In fact how much is considered as being under influence as most would enjoy a glass or two part of the relaxation of holidays.

We used to get a lot of that type of request, SueDonim - thank goodness they seem to have died the death. I never felt inclined to fund anyone’s gap year jolly. Particularly when it was going to involve some 3rd world project that could almost certainly have been accomplished locally for a lot less money, by people much more competent to do it.

There was also someone wanting to be sponsored to go and ‘teach English’ in a 3rd world country. As an ex EFL teacher, no way was I going to fund an unqualified 18 year old for that!

Our dd2 took a year out between school and university to go travelling - but she spent the first 6 months working in order to save up for it.

Many of these GFM pages are. set up to tug at our heart strings and all too many of them are. scams.

I donate to three charities monthly, regularly take items to local charity shops, will bake for regular local coffee mornings to boost a charity but I refuse to fund some random persons fictitious cause.

I’m very cynical about GFM, but there is one being promoted locally for a young lad who now needs a special wheelchair that is not funded by the NHS and he’s such a lovely courageous little boy that I will almost certainly give to that.

Greyduster

I’m very cynical about GFM, but there is one being promoted locally for a young lad who now needs a special wheelchair that is not funded by the NHS and he’s such a lovely courageous little boy that I will almost certainly give to that.

I would certainly donate to any cause like that, if made aware of it.

I never give to GFM unless I know who/what it’s for.
After our son die, in the 40 days before his 40th birthday, DD and his friends decided to run/walk/cycle/go to the gym each and every day, to raise funds for Mind. So, of course, I was happy to support them.
There was one on here- not that I know the dear lady, but felt she needed the money.
These sorts of things are what I’m happy to donate.
OTOH, my son is a teacher in India. One of his students’ father died in Zimbabwe during the term. The boy and his family don’t have two pennies to rub together, but some very generous donors gave enough for a return airfare…
Difficult choices.

I never hear about any GFM's. I just support three favourite charities and that's it.

I sell online - mostly to customers in the USA - and from time to time I get a begging message along the lines of "Can you let me have this free/half price because (insert reason). I have a standard paste in message which says that I can only donate to UK based charities which are listed on the Charity Commission database. If you wish to go onto out waiting list please respond with your official number so we can verify your request.

Never had a response.

Just be extra careful ... as some ... not saying all ... are scams ... I have given to the odds ones only though if I know they are genuine

I only give something if I know the person concerned. Otherwise I have a handful of charities which I donate to regularly. Plus I support several charity shops in our nearby town.

I know a quite well off lady who funded most of her daughter's university education through GFM. It was a long time ago and I think they are checked more carefully now to ensure they are legit. I never saw the page, it was before I knew her, but it apparently made her appear to be a single mother on hard times. She and her husband talk about it now quite openly, and seem to think there was nothing wrong with doing it.

She is bonkers and needs to get a grip I think.

I’ve just enjoyed the last wee dram of a bottle of Dalwhinnie malt. If I set up a GFM page would any of you consider donating to a replacement? An Edinburgh Glenkinchie would be marvellous.
??
Much appreciated.