Chuggers

I used to have several direct debits to various charities but chugging and constant harrassment from junk snail mail means that I have stopped the lot except for one. The grasping and unpleasant approach of charities which now use the corporate creep and chugging approach to get donations and then to constantly increase them (i.e emotional blackmail) disgusts me. I can't be the only person who feels like this.

I felt very upset for the poor gentleman who left in his will his property to the R.S.P.C.A. He had loved his home and the wild habitat he owned and felt they would maintain the habitat after his death. How wrong was he! He had made the common mistake when he drew up his will in not stating it a legal condition of his will only a 'wish' that the area be maintained as an animal sanctary.

This allowed the R.S.P.C.A. to ignore his 'wishes' and sell his home and the land, netting them £295,000. He had thought the land would be safe in their hands, little did he know it would be torn down for developing, very sad.

Charities are the least charitable of all bodies when it comes to Wills. When I worked in a solicitors' office, if a charity ever had to be asked to be flexible as another claimant had come to light, they would refuse point blank.

I worked for an Age Concern Day Centre for 6 years. We often had donations from clients children unless the donation was very specifically made out to us as a Day Centre the money would just disappear into the national coffers, never to be used for what the donor intended. If you give money to a charity you have to be very specific about the terms of the donation if you wish it to be used locally.

How sad that charities act in this way.

I agree, harri. I have become very disillusioned with charities as a result. There's no way I'll ever agree that their ultimate aims justify such disgusting behaviour. They will lose support and trust.

We as a family have always supported animal charities over the years mainly by fostering dogs due to be rehomed and supporting the charlty by way of bring and buy sales and cake stalls etc,many years ago it must be about 20yrs a RSPCA home not far from my home advertised for bric a brac and household items for a sale I had never visited this home before this and was amazed at the sign on the gate at the front of the home,it read "No Stray Dogs" I asked the manager of the home how she could justify this and she said that some people had tied dogs to the gate and I told her surely they where better off tied to the gate than dumped somewhere else but she would not have it.I have never given to RSPCA from that day to this.

glammananna That is distressing about RSPCA. We had a young swan marooned near here recently, obviously distressed, and RSPCA were 'too busy' to even come and look.

We had an injured swan on the riverbank near our house last year, grrranny, and a lovely woman from the RSPB came and rescued it.

Anagram We finally got our one sorted - bird sanctuary - and it was ok. I think we just felt helpless in the heat of the moment and phoned the wrong people but RSPCA could have told us who to phone (I know we sorted it out in the end) rather than just say 'too busy'. I am sure they do a good job but I do worry when charities get too big.

Yes, you're right - you'd think they'd have suggested someone else who could help instead of just washing their hands of the problem.

So much for Cameron's 'Big Society' which imposed high expectations on the charitable and voluntary sector. Is this why their fund-raising activities have become increasingly confrontational?

If so, it's proving counter-productive!

I will not be giving large donations to animal charities while there are children living in poverty and young people homeless and living rough.
I used to give to RSPCA and PDSA but then they started with the books of raffle tickets to sell and it wasn't just once a year.
I knew someone who had a houseful of animals she could not afford to look after but when confronted she said she would rather give up her child than the cats,dogs rabbits and so on. I hope the child thinks about this when the mother is old and needs attention.

I'm feeling a little guilty having mentioned the R.S.P.C.A. story. Can I make amends by saying I do support the Donkey Sanctuary based in Sidmouth and other parts of the country. M y dear mum has a plaque there and we donate to the Elizabeth Svendson Trust which has the most wonderful arena which gives rides to handicapped children. The joy on the childrens faces is wonderful. It is very well run by it's many volunteers and staff. It has a hospital too and saves donkeys world wide from cruelty.

If you are the Sidmouth area go along to the Christmas Carol Service, it is lovely. Hundreds of candles and so much warmth and love for all the family.I like the way you can see ho much goes to the charity for example if you buy christmas cards.