Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Crimbo cards?

[JuniorD]

Have bit of a dilemma, received 8 unsolicited Christmas cards and a wee calendar in the post from an organisation called Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. If I want the cards I can either pay £5.95 for them or simply not pay for them at all. Normally I'd bin these things on account of their unsolicited approach but I'm intrigued by what they purport to do and, if bonafide, I think might be worth supporting. Or perhaps maybe I'm getting softer with age. The cards are ok - I would value them at about £3.50

So, does anyone know anything about this organisation or is it all a load of bks designed to tug my heart strings and in turn open my cheque book?




(There is one other short thread on this matter in SP&L but is on the legality of the unsolicited mail).

[Merlot]

Five seconds on Google has given me this: http://www.mfpa.co.uk/

[JuniorD]

Merlot said:

Five seconds on Google has given me this: http://www.mfpa.co.uk/

I know, but am looking for some independent insight. There is bound to be someone on here who can shed some light on them. To be honest something doesn't sit right with me.

[TheEnd]

Hmm, there are more needy charities than buying paint for disabled artists.

[CatherineJ]

We had those in the post yesterday too.

[Monkey Tennis]

Got those today too - little bit of a dilemma really because I don't want the cards or to donate, but do feel a little bad with no option to return to what appears to be a genuine charity.

Guess there's no option but to get rid / use them, but don't think i've seen that kind of charity tactic before!

[CatherineJ]

Me neither must have cost quite a bit.

[toasty]

We have had some of those too.

Quite impressive but not as good as a talented young lady in Amsterdam who wrote me a Christmas card with her... ok you get the picture.

[eldar]

My parents used to get these in the 1970s,. They bought some once, which was followed up by knocks on the door selling crap paintings by some bloke selling 'on behalf of'. Once was eough.

[jeff m]

I usually donate to the US one.
They sent me an explanation of how the money was spent etc.

Depends really how you feel about home based charities and those in third world countries really. Sometimes tougher for domestic ones to generate funds.

I think this is more about giving people in wheelchairs the opportunity to produce something and feel they are useful. More than putting food in someones mouth. Gets my dollar.

Edited by jeff m on Wednesday 18th November 23:56

[Mobile Chicane]

Don't feel guilty. It's 'marketing'. Response rates and likely return on investment will all have been carefully thought about.

[the_lone_wolf]

Of course they're expensive, have you seen how long it takes someone with no arms to paint a card???

[eldar]

the_lone_wolf said:

Of course they're expensive, have you seen how long it takes someone with no arms to paint a card???

4.7 seconds. According to someone with a clever penis...

[Famous Graham]

Ask them why they aren't called "Foot and Mouth".

[cottonfoo]

eldar said:

4.7 seconds. According to someone with a clever penis...

zooass.com ?

[JuniorD]

Right, I've heard that this crowd are a commercial venture and there are have been pan-European allegations that actual disabled artists see very little money from the organisation. They are not doing anything illegal but certainly act with questionable ethics.

More here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Mouth_...


I can't believe that even for one minute I entertained this mailshot. My natural cynicism towards these things must be dangerously weakening.

[10 Pence Short]

Hmm, Foot & Mouth, you say?