Isn’t that where we all did our homework? Actually i was the swot they were all copying from…

So, was asked to review the christmas appeals and therefore looked st the letters and inserts far more closely than i normally would. Overall the standard was woefully unimpressive selection. As expected not one envelope was cellophane free, despite the Post Office agreeing to deal with windowless envelopes. Even the charities i (currently) favour send too much eg why not combine the newsletter and leaflet in one. Even if a charity is not especially concerned about the environment surely they must now be looking at ways to reduce their costs? Every other company is getting crunchy so why do i not see that reflected in charity mailshots? Oh most mention the financial situation, but do not act as tho THEY need to change what they do in any way. Perhaps it is too soon ie the christmas campaigns were planned months ago?

Since my last blog – just a couple of weeks ago, remember – i have heard from the following charities: Barnardos; Action for Children; Tools for Self Reliance; Sight Savers; St Mungos; World Villages for Children (twice); Breadline Africa (twice); Cats Protection League; Amnesty International; Red Cross; Smile Train; Sally Army; RNID.

Mainly very dull, nothing to say why they are different, why they are more deserving of my money than other charities working on similiar projects, or with similiar client groups. Shops try to do that, products (eg cars and mobiles and sportswear etc) are sold as being special and different so why don’t charities do the same? Tell what is the difference you make that only you have achieved? If you can’t believe in yourself and sell me that, why should i be interested?

Some charities are self-eveidently working in a clear field eg Amnesty, or The Centre for Care of Victims of Torture. But other have to work harder eg – what is the difference between Breadline Africa, Ethiopaid and World Villages for Children (who work a lot in Africa even if not exclusively)? Yet presumably when each was set up someone had identified a gap and wanted to fill it? So tell me about it!

Of those i looked at a few deserve (!) special mention

Bredaline Africa – i mailed them to say i would no longer give as they send far too many appeals. I had an e-exchange with Edna Titus as to the reason behind this decision and tho she said she would take me off the mailing list, she hoped i would reconsider. So why the heck does she send me two letters in 3 weeks, ’signed’ by her. Honey this really ain’t the way to win hearts & minds.

Barnardos – did tell me 94p in every pound is spent directly on those who need their help. Great if true – and i don’t mean i think they lied just i wonder what they mean by ‘directly’?

Red Cross – that was me after opening the fat cardboard box they sent as in cross and having a red mist obscuring my view. It was apparently sent to thank me. But for what??? I have not given since they asked to help the denizens of Tewkesbury when Bangladesh was under wayter again. Question is – how long does a charity keep sending if no-one is giving any more? Yet i was gifted a calendar, a pen, a sheet of wrapping paper, two glossy blank cards and envelopes and a metal lapel pin. What is this, some kind of standoff? You think i’ll blink? No way Jose. What i will do from now on – as i do with the PDSA – is to send them back marked ‘Gone Away.

One thought which occurred was why some charities bombard me even when i have never supported them, or have ceased to do so, while others never ever send anything? Seems odd that as all charities are set up to receive money and make it work for a good cause, even the smallest do not have some kind of a system for recording their postal donors, and then sending the odd nudge even if it is only at christmas? I was looking at the book of all donations over 16 years and some i gave to only once, yet presumably would have given more had i been asked.

Back to the aim of this exercise – thing is my mind was made up a while back as to where this years xmas bonanza was going so now the £300 is spent that’s it till January. Not a lot if you think what some people spend at xmas. Just hope someone is getting good value from that. Wonder how many people will get the comfort of the two loos i bought, now there’s a documentary waiting to be made…

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