38 replies to this topic

[666junky]

If there wasn't charitys.. I'd be dead.

So I do what I can to help

[*Raz*]

I think people should be able to donate money or items or time and energy to whoever they want to help.

There we go. I was wondering who would say that

What about celebs and their to charity what do people think about that?

[Juju]

Charities exist for one thing... to make money.

If we didnt donate to charities what would they do? In example cancer research.

If cancer research found a cure for cancer would they make it public.... no, they make too much money from donations it has shareholders after all (well people like that, in there to make money).

If we stoped donating they would most prob say they found a cure and then close down, their job is done.

Smallpox was eradicated.
Polio is nearly there.
Rinderpest (moo cow disease - horrid - affects the develping world) has been all but eradicated.
There is a plan afoot to (eventually) eradicate malaria (gods know how).
In fact, it is the eventual aim of those trying to prevent all disease caused by little nasties.

In all cases the work was done by charities, governments & NGOs.

I doubt cancer will ever be eradicated as such as it isn't caused by an infectious agent, but by DNA damage from the environment & our own genes, but I imagine that scientific effort towards understanding the disease will decrease once knowledge reaches a certain point.

There is a cynicism (sp?) that is all too popular in the media of the developed world that work towards alleviating the suffering of others must have an ulterior motive.

We are all free to give to & help out anybody else as we choose to or not.

I am one of the very few people on this planet who can afford food, water, a home, cars, clothes, make up, toys & many unnecessary fripparies that clutter my life. I also am aware that as a human in this priveleged position it is my duty to help out fellow humans who aren't quite so fortunate, wherever they were born.

[Jammy]

I doubt cancer will ever be eradicated as such as it isn't caused by an infectious agent, but by DNA damage from the environment & our own genes, but I imagine that scientific effort towards understanding the disease will decrease once knowledge reaches a certain point.

Nano-technology?

[*DJH*]

i don't see the point in donating to africa, we and other countries have been pumping tens of millions into their country for the last 20 odd years and what has it achieved? still no frigging drinking water? my arse, the money is more than likley being spread out to fund terrorisim.

it's a lost cause in my opinion. as they say, look after number 1.

[Jammy]

Sounds like some people in this topic have really informed views.

[*DJH*]

don't really care to be honest.

[Juju]

I doubt cancer will ever be eradicated as such as it isn't caused by an infectious agent, but by DNA damage from the environment & our own genes, but I imagine that scientific effort towards understanding the disease will decrease once knowledge reaches a certain point.

Nano-technology?

Maybe. As a repair mechanism & potentially prophylaxis. Who knows?

DJH - unfortunately Africa's troubles are a little older & a little more complicated than something Live Aid can fix. A lot of the old colonial powers combined with commerce from developed nations are culpable for a great deal of what that vast Nation is suffering.

[benb12]

Well, since my form tutor died of cancer last week I'm going to be donating to cancer research.

[newbambeeno]

Well, when most people who have posted seems to beleive that Oxfam funds terrorism I think I may have to rant a little...

First of all, yes, Africa as a continent owes a lot of rich countries a lot of money due to lending, but, some money IS donated. But why shouldn't it be? Africa is rich in terms of minerals. There is oil under most parts, which isn't allowed to be mined or else the US will stop giving them money. America, don't want this oil mining as "Too much damage has been done to the world through oil". Well, that's while America have Iraq and other parts of the middle east playing their fiddle, when that runs out, I'm sure they'll find governments they don't like in Africa

Also, the coffee you drink, how much do you think the people farming it get? Not even fair trade is that fair. The O/H mum is a proper fair trade supporter and she has given up so much time and effort to get Lichfield a Fair Trade city, and so many other places need to follow suit. Even she says that The amount farmers are paid is ridiculous for fair trade. But it's better than Nescafe and the b****** that run them- Nestle.

What diamonds do you buy? Are the 'clean'? Probably not! The West will always have it's way. The diamonds that most people buy fund terrorism and wars in Africa, the clean ones don't.

So yes, charity does start at home. But most people in the UK have a much better chance of digging themselves out of whatever hole they are in (and I'm not saying that everyone has it easy, I know that some people have to go through hell for whatever reason), and for that reason, I give to Shelter, who try to home the homeless. However, I give more to Oxfam, who give the money to THE RIGHT PEOPLE in Africa, not the governments to buy guns.

I wouldn't even consider giving to Cancer Research, or any of the like, as I'm undecided whether I beleive animal testing is right for medicine, but it definately ain't to smell nice.

I'm sorry this is a mega-probably non sensicle- rant, but I got a bit angry

People can beleive what they want, but until the world is a fairer place, I think that we have no right to begrudge a few quid going here and there (to charities) when these charities shouldn't need to exist, if everyone could trade on a level playing field.

Again, sorry!

[Jackman]

Suggesting shop workers steal donations is libelous and isn't the sort of accusation you should casually make.

Edited post as thats correct, ive no proof...

[Natalie]

Do you want to take a lead on making a difference for children and young people with cancer?

CLIC Sargent
[*]Various
[*]Circa £75k

Job advert for director of services for a charity - this is the sort of thing I don't really agree with

Edited by Natalie, 16 October 2008 - 04:44 PM.

[sixwheeler]

Do you want to take a lead on making a difference for children and young people with cancer?

CLIC Sargent
[*]Various
[*]Circa £75k

Job advert for director of services for a charity - this is the sort of thing I don't really agree with

That is part of the reason that I am sometimes rather reluctant to give to charities as I think there is a little too much personal gain for some within a charity and I am therefore very selective to whom I give.

That said, the salaries are normally the 'going rates' [although in this case I think a touch on the high side] and in order to attract the people that are able to do the job, that is how much you have to pay.

Do remember however, that a charity has a charity number and is goverened by the charity commision and as such are under an obligation to do certain things financially, amongs others, and accounts are available for [free] public inspection.

Charity Commission

There are a few countries in Africa that used to be very rich but are now very poor - this is often down to civil unrest and bad management. The thing is, the charity is [should be!] helping the general population that have no say in how the country is run and are merely victims of a system that they can never have any control over - they, of course, don't have the infrastructure that we are blessed with to fall back on should times become hard.

Having had direct contact with fair trade farmers in the far east I can say that fair trade has made a difference and they seemed very pleased with thier lot. You have to remember that it can be equally as bad to overpay someone in a third world environment as it is to under pay them, it is all relative and earnings and wealth need to grow naturally. Paying the correct amount for a specific geographic area will allow that area to grow financially over a period of time in a stable and sustainable manner.

There will of course always be good and bad no matter where you look. I think that it can be taken as read that the majority of people/charities based in this country are true to their cause and there have been any number of stories in the news telling of how x charity worker found something donated that turned out to be worth a large amount of money - the charity having benefitted from the sale.

[cherryblossom]

i always give money to animals and that cause im a sucker for animals but i also give money to cancer charities.
i try and give as much as i can because i can afford to do that, and i think we should give a little if we can, but i dont give money to charities if they hound me on the street or anything like the

[landy andy]

Well, when most people who have posted seems to beleive that Oxfam funds terrorism I think I may have to rant a little...

First of all, yes, Africa as a continent owes a lot of rich countries a lot of money due to lending, but, some money IS donated. But why shouldn't it be? Africa is rich in terms of minerals. There is oil under most parts, which isn't allowed to be mined or else the US will stop giving them money. America, don't want this oil mining as "Too much damage has been done to the world through oil". Well, that's while America have Iraq and other parts of the middle east playing their fiddle, when that runs out, I'm sure they'll find governments they don't like in Africa

Also, the coffee you drink, how much do you think the people farming it get? Not even fair trade is that fair. The O/H mum is a proper fair trade supporter and she has given up so much time and effort to get Lichfield a Fair Trade city, and so many other places need to follow suit. Even she says that The amount farmers are paid is ridiculous for fair trade. But it's better than Nescafe and the b****** that run them- Nestle.

What diamonds do you buy? Are the 'clean'? Probably not! The West will always have it's way. The diamonds that most people buy fund terrorism and wars in Africa, the clean ones don't.

So yes, charity does start at home. But most people in the UK have a much better chance of digging themselves out of whatever hole they are in (and I'm not saying that everyone has it easy, I know that some people have to go through hell for whatever reason), and for that reason, I give to Shelter, who try to home the homeless. However, I give more to Oxfam, who give the money to THE RIGHT PEOPLE in Africa, not the governments to buy guns.

I wouldn't even consider giving to Cancer Research, or any of the like, as I'm undecided whether I beleive animal testing is right for medicine, but it definately ain't to smell nice.

I'm sorry this is a mega-probably non sensicle- rant, but I got a bit angry

People can beleive what they want, but until the world is a fairer place, I think that we have no right to begrudge a few quid going here and there (to charities) when these charities shouldn't need to exist, if everyone could trade on a level playing field.

Again, sorry!

Alright...I have heard this "America is taking the worlds oil" stuff on here dozens of times. So I challenge you to prove how much Oil has been removed from Iraq bt America. The only Oil and Natural Gas lines that have been made is for BP. NOT an American Company now is it?Seriously what a load of Sh*t. We have Alaska..the largest untapped oil reserve on the planet ..why the hell would we need oil from Iraq? Ever think the payback for standing shoulder to shoulder with us in the fight against terrorism was that we made it possible for YOU to rape the poor middle east of their precious oil not us? Think about it. We havnt taken a single drop...wonder what British Patrolium is doing with it?Wonder who is benifiting from that??THe American People...not realy mate.

The US has been giving money to Africa so we can take their Oil? Go on then.... what Countries and how much? The last big cash flood we gave Africa was 36 BILLION Dollars in 2004 to help fight Aids. Guess who had controll of the "Donation"..the UN. Guess how much is left after three years...none. PLaces like Africa and a majority of Countries in it are hampered by one major thing...themselves and their greed.

Post up and prove your rants have any credibility by posting up facts not blanket statements that are nothing but rubbish.

On topic....Giving to Charities is a good thing. Cancer research is very important. Wait till someone you know and Love lies on their deathbed wasting away to nothing day by day. Maybe then a couple of Rabbits wasnt such a sacrifice.

I completely agree with what you say about fairtrade foods.Farmers are constantly getting ripped off. Cadbury buys cocoa beans from the farmers but if there is not enough they will add regular beans to fill the orders and still sell it as fairtrade.

Anyway...donate and give. Just decide which charity works for you. Just make sure the money ends up where it meant to.