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RED NOSE DAY and CHILDREN IN NEED

(31 Posts)
Fflaurie Sun 23-Mar-25 10:34:56

OK, so you will probably hate me for this, but I think these two marathons are scams. Most of the money for these programmes go abroad and who knows how the money is spent. I will not donate to these, so much money goes in production costs and I totally disagree with money going out the country. I donate to charities in the UK but I distrust these two with their celebrities and high costs.

Cossy Sun 23-Mar-25 10:41:26

That’s your choice but actually I do t believe it is a scam, I always donate to both and at least 50% is spent in this country.

I do t mind supporting people who, by an accident of birth, are in places much less fortunate than us.

Each to their own flowers

Georgesgran Sun 23-Mar-25 10:41:39

Not sure if they’re scams, but I feel the format has run its course. I didn’t watch RND on tv, but I understand it was cringeworthy.

Cossy Sun 23-Mar-25 10:41:59

For some reason don’t didn’t come out properly

Silverbrooks Sun 23-Mar-25 10:42:18

Perhaps read the BBC Children in Need FAQs.

www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/about-us/faqs/

Iam64 Sun 23-Mar-25 10:43:01

I can’t imagine hating anyone who takes a critical or supportive view of children in need

I’m not a fan of using pain and poverty in this way. I realise the need to raise money for charities but it does feel exploitative

Cossy Sun 23-Mar-25 10:47:19

Georgesgran

Not sure if they’re scams, but I feel the format has run its course. I didn’t watch RND on tv, but I understand it was cringeworthy.

Did watch watch Comic Relief, it’s 40 years this year, I didn’t find it cringeworthy and sadly whilst there are still people all around the world suffering, without clean water, no vaccines and caught up in conflicts, charities such as this are needed. I don’t think it’s run its course, but if people choose not too donate and watch that’s absolutely fine.

The community choir with which I sing raised over £13,000 and last night I was at a barn dance solely raising funds for one of our local charities.

I think it’s sad charities are needed to give others less fortunate than some of us a fighting chance of making through the obstacle course we call life

Cossy Sun 23-Mar-25 10:49:18

Iam64

I can’t imagine hating anyone who takes a critical or supportive view of children in need

I’m not a fan of using pain and poverty in this way. I realise the need to raise money for charities but it does feel exploitative

Do you mean all the clips used to show how and where the money raised is spent?

I don’t really understand your comment about being exploitative?

Wyllow3 Sun 23-Mar-25 10:50:34

Checked out Children in Need

I've checked out Children in Need, it works only in the UK, 95% of their budget goes on projects

They have long running projects, and its vital to have charities that dont just run on a basis of one off grants that dont ensure they continue to run.

the charities would fold without them - they really are good projects -

Here's a detailed report
www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Final-CiN-Appeal-Annual-Report-2023-signed-1.pdf

ViceVersa Sun 23-Mar-25 10:51:47

I can assure you that some of the money is definitely put to very good use here in the UK. I used to work for a charity which supported children with special needs (and their families) and they had received very large donations from Comic Relief.

Rula Sun 23-Mar-25 10:55:10

I've not watched it for years but it's definitely not a scam!

henetha Sun 23-Mar-25 11:01:21

I can't agree that these programmes are scams. And much of the money is used in this country, but there are many worthy causes in other countries and it's great that we can help them.
I certainly don't hate you, - you are entitled to your opinion.
It just seems to me to be wonderful that we can raise money to help others. I'll continue to support them in my own small way.

Wyllow3 Sun 23-Mar-25 11:05:15

I don't mind your opinion, but I think you maybe could provide some kind of proof that money is going down the drain. Any article with facts and figures?

glasshalffullagain Sun 23-Mar-25 11:11:59

These programmes make me feel sad somehow. I heard Alison Hammond on the radio the other day trying to drum up community type feelings.
It's had it's day really.

Georgesgran Sun 23-Mar-25 11:19:47

I’d only read online Cossy that so many people had switched off after the opening 10 minutes.
It goes without saying I’ve contributed since the start - anyone still have the big magnetic red nose to stick to your car bonnet?
I just think the evening of ‘entertainment’ mixed with the appeals has run its course.

I know it’s not a scam - in case that was misunderstood.

Galaxy Sun 23-Mar-25 11:42:01

I tend to think that TV shows that repeat the same format over and over tend to have a shelf life.
I have some concerns around children in need and safeguarding decisions, the chair recently resigned due to sone of those decisions.

Aveline Sun 23-Mar-25 11:57:44

I don't think these programmes are a scam but just seem a shower of luvvies having a great time showing off. I'd rather give direct to small local charities.

Iam64 Sun 23-Mar-25 12:33:18

- I realise I may be over thinking but I’m always concerned about entertainment that gives access to children. I’m not expressing myself well but, so many ‘light entertainment’entertainers and those around them have been found to raise age guarding issues.
Galaxy correctly points to a recent occasion

Cossy Sun 23-Mar-25 14:37:13

Georgesgran

I’d only read online Cossy that so many people had switched off after the opening 10 minutes.
It goes without saying I’ve contributed since the start - anyone still have the big magnetic red nose to stick to your car bonnet?
I just think the evening of ‘entertainment’ mixed with the appeals has run its course.

I know it’s not a scam - in case that was misunderstood.

Yes I do get what you’re saying and 40 years is a long time to keep things fresh

Allira Sun 23-Mar-25 15:33:29

They're not scams and probably more of the money raised goes to help those in need than can be said for many other charities.

Comic Relief has been going for 40 years now.
The BBC started appeals for Children's Charities back in 1927 and, in its present format, Chldren in Need started in 1980.

I donated to both, far more to Children in Need and a small sum to Comic Relief. I trust the majority of the money will go to those who are failed by government and councils.

95% of money received by Children in Need goes directly to good causes.
Comic Relief received a 4* star 100% rating - Charity Nsvigstr.

Saying something like I expect you'll hate me now sounds rather immature, sorry. One of DD's friends used to say that when she was a young teenager.

Allira Sun 23-Mar-25 15:35:03

Wyllow3

I don't mind your opinion, but I think you maybe could provide some kind of proof that money is going down the drain. Any article with facts and figures?

I doubt it.

vintageclassics Mon 24-Mar-25 14:12:19

Take a look at
register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/802052

and

register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/326568

Allira Mon 24-Mar-25 15:27:48

Thanks vintageclassics

Perhaps Fflaurie might be convinced but he/she seems to have left the building.

wibblywobblywobblebottom Mon 24-Mar-25 15:40:52

The vast majority of Red Nose Day money has always gone out of the country, that was the whole point of setting the organisation up. To help those in need abroad. If you are too tight to contribute then don't.

Allira Mon 24-Mar-25 15:46:23

wibblywobblywobblebottom

The vast majority of Red Nose Day money has always gone out of the country, that was the whole point of setting the organisation up. To help those in need abroad. If you are too tight to contribute then don't.

Yes, it was.

Viewers were apparently furious because clips of old sketches were shown
A fourth added: "Why are they just replaying old sketches when there is so much comedy talent in this country? Somebody please explain?"

Perhaps because today's comedy "talent" just isn't talented and is anything but comic?

Perhaps because, on an anniversary, long-running shows often show a few clips from the past?

Perhaps because most people don't sit glued to the show all night and may dip in and out?