Children In Need - Not Sure If I Am Getting Involved

[jd_1984]

Tonight is Children In Need, on the face of it an incredible occasion raising millions every year. But - what exactly is happening with the vast millions each year (£37.1m in 2015) as the problems they aim to tackle are still apparently as bad as ever? Is it just that the charities and initiatives they aim to support simply need billions, not millions to effect real change? Is it that they support too many charities and therefore the slice of the pie allocated to each is not enough? Yes we see images of individual stories where you think "Wow" that child's life is now so much better - well done children in need and pat on the back if you donated.

I read that the majority of charities are in almost every sense - a "business" in their own right. The head's of these charities and senior members draw massive salaries, Sir Nick Young Red Cross CEO £184,000 for example. Save the Children CEO Justin Forsyth - £163,000 is another - perhaps this is the sceptic in me, I am sure they work tirelessly for their £15 grand a month wage, but these are already wealthy people....

I also have issue with the BBC asking us to give our money for disadvantaged children while their top executives and former presenters have done ghastly things to children and then attempted to cover it up. I have given hundreds in the past but this year I might give the whole thing a miss

Friday afternoon rant over - I will probably admit to being narrow minded later but hey ho...!

[Unsureme]

I will do the same as Baldric.

[ethandron]

I used to give a weeks family allowance to children in need, I'd like to think it went to good causes.
These days I give my money to the local cancer hospital, more appropriate for me.

[EcclesCake]

Children in Need has never appealed to me and I try to ignore it to the best of my ability.

Comic Relief floats my boat far more and depending on my level of enjoyment is reflected in my donation.

[Baldric]

Please don't think I am being mean. I support two charities by Direct Debit, the RNLI and the British Legion as I think they are both quite genuine and to be honest the RNLI have pulled me out of the oggin more than once.

[Mamyalynne]

I don't think it's mean to choose where anyone donates at all, that's what I meant by choice.

[ethandron]

Baldric, no one has to explain where their money goes. We too have direct debits to two charities of our very personal choice. You ain't mean ;)