Should I Accept This Very Generous Invitation?

[MDWCT2018]

Last year I did some fund-raising for a charity and surpassed by fundraising goals by raising over £6000 myself!
It took me 18 months of cake sales and contacting companies for donations and my friends, family and colleagues were incredibly generous too! I never thought I would get there.

Anyway, last week I received a completely unexpected email invite from the charity inviting me to a very glam black tie event at the Dorchester Hotel Park Lane. I am just gobsmacked!

I kind of feel uncomfortable accepting it. I think there are far more deserving fundraisers than me, esp those who stand with buckets and collect pennies. But I also think it might be rude to decline as the charity have chosen to invite me?

Should I go or should I say thank you but please give my invitation to someone more deserving?

I also feel a little bit guilty as they wanted to do a piece on me in their newsletter and social media but I declined as I am private by nature and didn't want the publicity.

[seekeerz]

Sounds like they would like to thank you personally for all your efforts .....get glammed up and go enjoy yourself.

[LadyCG]

I think you should accept. At the very least you will get to meet others who will be able to share their fund raising ideas with you.

Don't spurn someone's efforts to thank you for your hard work. I'm sure you'd express your gratitude to others who moved mountains to help you.

[Hopkirk]

No question at all. Go.

You obviously deserve it, and should be very proud.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Call me cynical but read the small print as there may be bits in there you dont agree with. If you are ok with them go and enjoy - as the others have said you have earned it.

[Jennykenny]

Double check this actually exists by phoning the hotel, and asking if you are on the list of invitees.
I know it makes me sound very suspicious, but attending this unexpected event at a particular time and place means that your house may be empty??

[murraymints]

such invitations normally are made in a formal manner..not Email..I too would be a bit wary... check it out first..if ok..then go and enjoy !

[gness]

My first question would be how is this event being paid for....then if you're happy with the answer go and enjoy if it's your type of evening.....

Well done on your fundraising......x

[ummmm]

Yes, very well done.

This hotel is very very expensive though.

[murraymints]

good point G..it could be an invitation to "pay" for dinner as a fund raising thingy in its own right...

[gness]

It could, Minty.....but I ended my involvement in a charity when I discovered that public donations had been used to send some of their bigwigs from head office on an overseas jolly......I'm just an old cynic..... ;-)

[MDWCT2018]

good points ... I just re-read it and it says amongst other....
On behalf of myself and xyzzz Charity we would like to invite you to the xxyyzz. No work involved, just eating drinking and a fun night. You have been chosen by staff at the Charity along with several other exceptional fundraisers. We wanted to say a huge thank you for your fundraising and the support you have given to the charity.

It really would be wonderful if you are able to join us, and I do believe that you will have a very enjoyable evening.If you could let me know as soon as possible that you can attend and I will add your name to the list and my colleague xyzzy, the event co-ordinator, will be in touch requesting further details such as dietary requirements.

It is genuine, as it is from my contact at the charity email

[Jennykenny]

In that case, go, and have a great night.

[Jennykenny]

I can’t help one last comment, which is that I assume the cost of the food, the hire of the room, staff etc, are coming out of your and others fundraising.

[maggiebee]

Definitely get glammed up and go along. Lovely to see your efforts being recognised.

[MDWCT2018]

hmmm... just occurred to me Ive been given a fortnights notice to a black tie event... never been to one before and it is so far proving to be a nightmare on organising a dress front? Is this a standard notice time for event like this?

[DarceyK123]

Firstly, well done on the fundraising.

How far is it from your home? If it's quite a way I would phone the Hotel and make sure that xxxx charity is holding a do there on that date before buying dresses and paying out for train fares. Also if you do go, make sure someone is at home or looking out for your home.

Don't want to put a dampener on it, I really hope it's genuine, but these days you can't be too carefull.

[tamborine]

Go for experience. Take vids to inform us of estimated costs; and ask the charity for dress allowance. From your experience we can assess if charities are worthwhile. Does the charity have a registered number.

[seekeerz]

Just a thought on the 'dress front' ....I wonder if you would consider hiring an outfit for the night ....I'm sure London would have any number of shops which could help.

[meglet]

The Dorchester??? And that right there is why people distrust big charities. Even if a benefactor is paying for it, it sends out completely the wrong message.

[10ClarionSt]

I agree Meg. People would call me mean (among other things!) but I never give to charity because in some cases only a small percentage goes to the cause that they say they support. The rest goes on various "expenses". Mmmm.