Monday 4 July 2016

Begging letters.


During this baffling period of attack and counter attack following the Brexit vote one thing is beginning to happen much too often....
The various groups who send me mail, usually after I've signed a petition for something or other are all now asking for money.
I am exhorted to chip in!
This phrase is repeated by several different groups ranging from political parties to environmental groups...and people trying to get victims out of prison or the other difficulties they find themselves in. All totally admirable groups but......
If I just chipped in to all those who are demanding it I would be very busy and very broke!
I counted yesterday...there were seven different requests for money, most were polite but there was a common denominator .
They were groups that I have supported in the past!
This will mean that next time I am moved by a sad story or a devastating climatic disaster I will think again...
I understand why all these groups are asking for money right now...there's a lot to be done but it is surely far more off putting than anything else .
Please stop it with the begging letters!
It is a case of diminishing returns!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

2 comments:

UKViewer said...

Any group that asks me for money gets short shrift. I've learned to say NO, even if a little late.

Worthy as they are, they're being spawned due to social media and the ease with which anyone can set up a campaign petition and a just giving account - crooks are doing it all of the time.

Ray Barnes said...

Like you I sign petitions if they seem to have genuine merit, but, I never do the follow-up thing on Twitter or Facebook.
I still stay off both of those forms of social media and have no mobile phone.
My blogs are open and I never try to hide my identity, but too much interaction can lead to a great many forms of abuse, not least the "spare some cash" brigade.
We all make our own minds up about financial support for needy causes, but I am convinced there is an element of big business about some appeals.