TV Appeals

In answer to the OP, yes, sadly I do think ‘wrinkled faces’ are a turn off for the public in general. Not so photogenic as children or animals, but we all end up like that if we live long enough.

What! Daisymae you must resemble your namesake!

Children in Need run huge projects. They do not always pay everything upfront but release funds to projects as and when they are needed or targets met. As a retired project manager I gave a starting up fee and then annually or biannually released funds when needed and when I was sure the project was on time and in target and assessed.

Just in the same way you, as a householder, would be very stupid to pay upfront for, as an example, a £50,000 extension. You would stand the chance of the builder going bankrupt, walking off the job, etc.

While waiting to release funding CiN also invest the money wisely so it is earning interest.

I suggest that at your age you should check out Fake News before spreading it yourself.

I stopped donating to children in need when I read that they had 90 million in reserves. I think they have been working to reduce that. I don't think that the elderly are going to get much help, especially with the press promoting financial inequality between generations and almost creating a division.

Don’t think that would fly.

Yes I saw that UG - well, it's a start!

The Telegraph Christmas appeal will donate a third of the money collected to ‘Silver Line’ - the other two thirds to be shared between 2 other charities.

GG54 - The money was freely given, perhaps we should be more concerned about where it went!
Just half those amounts would be of great use to care for the elderly.

Circa £48m raised this year and I wonder what it will be spent on?
Last year it was £50m + change.
Does it really take that much plus government money/benefits to provide for 'disadvantaged' children in the UK?
I never give to these kind of charity fests.

Here! Here! Gaunt47 I appreciate all these appeals raise much needed money for very worthy charities but there are so many smaller and lesser known charities that miss out as they are overshadows by these big ones.
I worked in the NHS for many years and witnessed how poorly staffed the care of the elderly wards were compared to others. Not a criticism of the staff - they only have one pair of hands, but the 'world of the elderly' is not as glamorous as they need far more personal care especially where incontinence and mental health issues are concerned. Personally I found it rewarding especially with dementia patients.
Memory Cafes etc. are a real Godsend for carers and I so wish there could be more funds available.