I may not be donating to Comic Relief this year.

Better add a [woodenspoon] as well

Course not, absent! Let 'em rot, the toerags! [sarc]

Sorry j08 my mistake

I stick by the fact that it is not Comic relief for Africa though.

People, including Gransnetters, have plenty to say about children and young people who are in trouble with the law, members of gangs, taking drugs or simply not prepared to be part of society. The same people seem to be saying that money raised for charitable purposes to help children shouldn't be used for these ones.

Charity begins at home. The planet is home to us all. Parochialism solved. (I wish!)

I'm talking about Comic Relief.

I agree that poverty in this country bears little or no relation to poverty in Africa but surely the theme of the charity is Children in need not African children in need.

There are many children in this country who live in poverty and in terrible, sad circumstances through no fault of their own and I am glad that 40% of the money raised will stay in the UK although I am surprised the figure is not higher to be honest.

By "their own kind" I mean people in this country.

Children in this country have "Children in Need" in November. Comic Relief was started originally to help children in third world countries.

I repeat, no child in this country is as badly off as many African children.

jo8 Yes if that is why some people give it is sad, but surely we are all human beings and if you are being deprived of basic needs does it really matter where you live and it should be given out accordingly. I am not sure what is meant by "Their own kind". I think it is a shame that some people think that deprived children in the UK should not be given any help from this charity.

Ana that's the sad thing - that people will only give if some of it is going to their own kind.

j08 Did you see that amazing film 'Mary and Martha' on Friday evening. Richard Curtis at his best. P.S. If you didn't and then watch it on catch-up, you will need plenty of tissues!

Hi, surely it should not matter to where we give and to who as long as they need help. "Deprivation" means lacking adequate living conditions or education, I just feel we should help whoever needs our help and do not think it is begrudging money going anywhere. As long as it goes to really help somebody I do not care what country it goes to, as long as it does not line the pockets of corrupt governments or "helpers". Children can be hungry in this country and also have parents dying of Aids surely?

j08 I agree totally that a comparatively wealthy country such as UK should be able to support the groups that Comic Relief contribute to in UK. However there are still people who only want to 'help their own' & not children and families in other parts of the world. I guess that is what makes CR feel they have to stress the UK based charities. I will still contribute though because in the end it's kids who benefit. The malaria charity is a good one to use as an alternative. Did you watch Mary & Martha?

What a refreshingly different view point. I'm sick of hearing the opposite argument 'charity begins at home'. I will give, as I always do, but I agree that compared with the poverty and child mortality figures in third world countries our people don't know what deprivation really is.

It does seem rather a high percentage, but I suppose there are some people who wouldn't contribute unless some of it went to children in this country - they have to make it clear that it's not just overseas aid.

I agree with you both. Children In Need raises a huge amount of money for an excellent range of causes but there is an even bigger problem in the Thirld World and I always thought Comic Relief was started to address that.

I'm inclined to agree, jingle I didn't realise the percentage was as high as 40%. Children in Need raises millions so I'd rather the money went to children in Africa.

I will still donate though.