Donation-based Crowdfunding: Begging?

[Glassman]

cheshiredj7 said:

This popped up on my Facebook feed a few days ago

https://www.gofundme.com/i-am-sean

Lancashire based photographer wants to tour the country taking pictures along the way. Has poor credit so can’t get finance for a caravan nor bigger car to tow it, suddenly becomes our problem to help fund his holiday and buy him a bigger car

During a period of financial uncertainty (allegedly) he still managed to father a further four kids? Am I reading that bit right?

[Glassman]

Flibble said:

Surely there are cheaper ways to build rich white kids' confidence?

Send them to boot camp with black kids.

[Glassman]

The reason we're so judgemental/weary of such pleas is you can't tell a sob story from a real one. But the real ones, they're real because someone wants to make their house nice and is a good person (with the added emotion of historical abuse thrown in). Woe betide if you go in with a real response which encourages them to try something other than begging.

[Glassman]

Vocal Minority said:

I agree it can be difficult to tell scammers apart from genuine cases. I agree about a lot of cases on here - they are blagging luxuries not necessities.

However, 'try something other than begging' - firstly, I think we can probably distinguish between begging as is meant here and a genuine request for help.

Sometimes, these women do literally have no choice. What route would you encourage them down?

There is no way of validating this person's claim, especially as there is no name to refer to (all the posts come under 'Spotted in Trowbridge). Perhaps I'm being cynical about the whole thing but you appear to have taken it all at face value.

Spotted in Trowbridge said:

Please can anybody help I have had a major disaster and really need to loan lend borrow some money does anybody have any help or ideas. I recently come out of a domestic abusive relationship and need 300 to make our house into a home for me and my children. I'm a respectable single mum who has had a hell of a few years I would do anything to help anyone. I don't like to ask for help or come across desperate or needy but I really want to make our home looking nice nobody seems to touch me due to my ex partner running up lots of bills and depth I am paying all back but just have no etc money for emergencies like this. Does anybody no any help or depth company's I tried provident payday loans studio etc will no luck at all.

A disaster. Something really bad, right? But she goes straight into specifying an amount. That is immediately followed with a snippet of 'coming out of an abusive relationship' but the 300-quid is to make her house "into a home" for her and her children. Still no indication of what the 'disaster' might be but she goes on to reiterate that she just wants to make her home, "looking nice". After her outgoings (which she attributes to her ex partner) she has nothing left for "emergencies like this".

So what emergency would that be? The walls are covered in Super Fresco wallpaper?

But she doesn't want to come across as desperate or needy because she would do anything to help anyone.

Delivery of plea forgiven, but content: nope. Too many holes, so I'm out.

Edited: the responses appear to be from people who seem to be quite familiar with how and where to get such help from.

[Glassman]

“It’s All Gone”: Couple Spent Homeless Man’s $400,000 GoFundMe Cash:

https://theantimedia.com/homeless-johnny-bobbit-go...

[Glassman]

If the assailant has been arrested, and is subsequently charged/convicted, there'll be compo, right?

https://www.gofundme.com/582n5-fund-for-emma

[Glassman]

Spent £20k on an M5 with a dodgy warranty; engine went pop but the warranty didn’t cover it. Rather than fixing the car he started legal action and somehow got to £90k in debt. Wants 8.5k to get him out of a hole:


https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-read-and-dont-ma...