Charity Donations - where do you draw the line

[numnum]

I have nothing against giving to charity and do so a lot, but recently I've had a number of friends and family emailing asking for donations.

I don't want to look stingy but its really getting slightly OTT with the amount of people that are needing sponsored for something. I don't want to donate to one friend one month and nothing to another if I'm skint the next month

We were thinking to pick our own charity to donate to and if anyone asks for a donation we can say we already donate to whatever charity we decide.

Just the other week it was £20 for a friend that done a half marathon, spent about £15 on raffle tickets at the weekend, then £5 for another thing I got invited to a few days ago. I donate prizes for local raffles aswell

If I sponsor everyone thats emailed I'll not have a wage this month!!!! ( i only work a couple days a month as I have two young kids)

Haha, just as I'm typing a text has come in to sponsor a family member

Out of curiosity how much do you donate. Ours seems to be ranging from £5 to £20. Gone are the days when you'd be happy if someone put a pound down on your sponsor sheet

[parkie]

One problem I have found is that on the occasions I have given to well known charities, even as a 'one-off' they ask for my details to gift aid the donation and get more back from the government which is fair enough. Trouble is once you are in the system they don't leave you alone with raffle tickets, requests for more donations etc.
I have my 'favourites' I donate to now and, although I hate doing it, return any other requests as 'unsolicited post'.