A letter arrives with a very substantial list of ‘Celebrity Friends’ down the right-hand side of the page. And they are (almost) all people of whom even I had not only heard, but also (in some cases) for whom I have a high regard.

That’s fine for Childen with Leukaemia. But in this situation I tend to wonder how many of those people actually work (in one way or another) for the charity, and how many have simply lent heir ‘names’. In some situations, I wonder whether the so-called celebrities are doing more for their own reputations than the charity, by being listed.

The actual letter was from Jonathan Ross (of whom, also, I have heard). With it is a book of lottery tickets (with a picture of Jonathan Ross on the front cover). I commend the appoach: 20 tickets in the book, at £1 each; the seller  of a winning ticket receives the same prize as the buyer of the ticket (so, buy the tickets yourself and be in with the chance of winning two identical prizes). Sticky labels with one’s own name and address are provided – for sticking on the counterfoils. The back of the outer cover is the form to complete when sending in the money, with spaces for the cost of tickets sold, a donation, and agreement for the donation to be Gift Aided. And the charity helpfully shows whether one has agreed to Gift Aid in the past (no further action needed), or not.

Also, there is space to include one’s email address, so as to receive news, etc from the charity. Or there is the option to sign up for such emails on the charity’s website.

And, as a ‘come on’, anyone sending in £20 or more can tick a box to receive a signed, souvenir photo of Jonathan Ross. If £40, or more, is sent, you can add to that a limited edition bear. Send £1,000, or more, and, as well as the first two items, there will be an invitation to a celebrity event – with, presumably, some of the celebrities working hard for the charity.

All in all, to me, the Christmas Grand Draw, gives the impression of a practical, professional approach.

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