people making money from the china earthquake

[bond]

hi, just wanted some other peoples opinions on this - today i received an email at work asking for donations to the china earthquake appeal, it says text "this number" to "xxxxx" to donate "x" amount to the fund (british red cross), but the cost of the text will be "xx", actually 33% more, which goes to the mobile phone company. is this right that mobile phone companies are trying to make millions of pounds profit from a major disaster where 5million people have lost their homes, and thousands have died? i dont believe the profits made by the phone company will be donated to the fund too, so isn't this quite sick ? anybody can log on to the brc website and donate without lining the pockets of anybody else. i'm just astounded that this can happen.

[lynbrown]

China is a rich country and should not need aid. If you want to be charitable, there are a few places nearer home - although, this is a rich country too and should not have to rely on charity.

[mata hati]

I know I may sound horrible, but I will not give to any charity - I would instantly give direct help if I could, for instance hosting children from the chernobyl disaster (which I did). Although, it was known that some quite monied people sent their children to be hosted even if the wern't affected by the fallout, and I rest my case - there is always someone who will take advantage to lie and cheat and make money from someone elses disaster. And agreeing with what you said, China does seem to have the situation well in hand. People in the top places should work on a voluntary basis, not cream off the funds to feed their rich lifestyles. And I take my hat off unreservedly to anyone who does!!