Would you donate?

[Riley Blue]

A few times recently Facebook friends, shortly before their birthdays, have solicited charity donations with posts starting,

"For my birthday this year, I'm asking for donations to **** *** charity. I've chosen this nonprofit because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope you'll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me..."

They're not doing anything to raise sponsorship; not cycling, walking, driving, free-falling, swimming or anything at all other than asking for donations. Am I being churlish to think it's a bit of a cheek?

[LordHaveMurci]

Had 2 of these in the last month, never really heard of it before.

Is this a relatively new thing?

Personally I've ignored both, I'll donate to who I like, when I like thanks.

[AMG V12]

I see it as a positive thing. Don't bother spending money on material presents, just put the equivalent towards a good cause. Where's the harm in that?

[PistonBroker]

Facebook sends you a message just before your birthday and says it's going to donate some money - might be £1, can't remember - if you choose a charity. Then it suggests you share it so your friends can donate.

I'd noticed it was a thing for a while and then it all made sense when I had my birthday last month.

To answer you OP - no, I wouldn't.

[Octoposse]

Have done twice this year, where I thought it was a worthwhile cause AND I liked the person.

[LordHaveMurci]

AMG V12 said:

I see it as a positive thing. Don't bother spending money on material presents, just put the equivalent towards a good cause. Where's the harm in that?

None, IF you were going to purchase material presents to start with

I'd hazard a guess that the majority of peoples FB 'friends' don't buy them presents yet they'll all recieve the invite.

[GOG440]

I have ignored all of them except the one for the air ambulance for my dads birthday, its a really good cause and someone I trust obviously

[Frimley111R]

Sounds good to me, assuming I was going to buy them something! As an adult most presents seem to come from family but none/few from friends so I am not sure how effective this is but every little helps.

[Randy Winkman]

GOG440 said:

I have ignored all of them except the one for the air ambulance for my dads birthday, its a really good cause and someone I trust obviously

Air ambulance -

[P-Jay]

It's a fairly new feature that FB have added recently.

It was my birthday last month, but I chose not to enable it, just seems a bit odd.

Would I donate? Maybe, I don't generally give gifts to anyone who isn't an immediate family member, we just don't do that sort of thing. Facebook being facebook though so far it's only come up with that 'friend' you worked with a decade ago and haven't set eyes on since.

[bigpriest]

Riley Blue said:

They're not doing anything to raise sponsorship; not cycling, walking, driving, free-falling, swimming or anything at all other than asking for donations. Am I being churlish to think it's a bit of a cheek?

This is a bonus for me - just donate some money if I choose without having to look at photos after the event of someone dressed in a wig and a saggy nylon superman outfit.

[bristolbaron]

Occasionally. There are charities out there I’ve never heard of doing cracking work, I have no issue supporting this without expecting a friend to ‘do something’ - a run etc.
I also have friends who have participated in significant events that I haven’t sponsored because I don’t particularly care for the charity they’re supporting.
When someone hits both though, significant event and worthy cause, I go in a lot bigger with donations - but never put my name against it.

[Integroo]

It encourages me to make charitable donations, which we should all do more of, so I normally chuck £20 towards anyone who asks me to donate to a charity.

[StevieBee]

Had a party for my 50th. Stated that I didn't want presents but should anyone be inclined, I'd set up a just giving page for Anthony Nolan Trust (we'd lost my brother in law to leukemia five months earlier). Raised £350. I'd rather this and only a few people donate than have shelves full of booze that would normally be given as gifts.

[The Mad Monk]

Riley Blue said:

Am I being churlish to think it's a bit of a cheek?

If you don't like the idea, don't give any money.

Try not to worry about it.

[Riley Blue]

The Mad Monk said:

Riley Blue said:

Am I being churlish to think it's a bit of a cheek?

If you don't like the idea, don't give any money.

Try not to worry about it.

I was just curious how these appeals were being more widely regarded, I'm not worried by them in the slightest.

[Jasandjules]

If it is a charity I would support then yes, but that tends to be unlikely as I generally support smaller ones...

[StanleyT]

Yep, but I'd tell them I'm not gift aiding it and I'm getting my charity tax contributions as a higher rate taxpayer (all us PH powerful directors are, aren't we) back via my tax return. Oh, and do they think it is slightly hypocritic to tell us they spend £600 in a Glasgow strip club on an "early birthday celebration" hence why no usual group pissup?

[S1KRR]

Riley Blue said:

A few times recently Facebook friends, shortly before their birthdays, have solicited charity donations with posts starting,

"For my birthday this year, I'm asking for donations to **** *** charity. I've chosen this nonprofit because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope you'll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me..."

They're not doing anything to raise sponsorship; not cycling, walking, driving, free-falling, swimming or anything at all other than asking for donations. Am I being churlish to think it's a bit of a cheek?

Seeing a lot of this recently too. today in fact 1 friend had one for Cancer Research

I just sent her the usual "happy birthday" message. Mainly because I wasn't about to buy her an actual present anyway. She may be fit, I've known her on and off for over 10 years, and I do fancy her cause she's quite a cool lass.

But she's also engaged, so it's not like a fiver would ingratiate me to her pussy! (Should have made a move on her 10 years ago, but such is life )


I checked and she'd got about a score, which had come from 1 donor. So I wasn't the only one disinterested to donate.



Slight digression.

A friend lost his sister to Cancer a while back, so he did a collection. Chucked him some money. Fast forward and he's raising AGAIN. Same for another friend whose also raising for a charity again not long after I donated. Can feel a bit of a put upon at times.

Only 1 friend consistently does activities to raise money. London Marathon etc Don't mind donating quite so much to those prepared to make an effort.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Riley Blue said:

They're not doing anything to raise sponsorship; not cycling, walking, driving, free-falling, swimming or anything at all other than asking for donations. Am I being churlish to think it's a bit of a cheek?

I'd rather this than "I am doing a charity bike ride thru Vietnam blah blah blah". fk off, you're going on holiday and you want me to pay. If you care that much about cancer, sit in a bath of cold beans for 24 hours.

Hitler's biggest mistake. If he'd said he was invading Poland for MS, we would have fking chipped in to pay the cost of jackboot leather!