Why do people go on selfish adventures for charity and expect the public to sponsor them?

Question

Does anyone else find this selfish and annoying?

For instance I was once approached in my local pub by a group of "firefighters" who were going to walk the Great Wall of China for charity. They wanted me to sponsor them, i.e., give them money. When I enquired further I found out that the sponsorship money would pay all their airfares, hotel fees etc and any money LEFT OVER would go to charity.

I think this pattern of behaviour is fairly common, i.e., people doing fairly selfish activities but tying it in with "charity work" in order to get finance. Why don' they do something nearer home, for instance pick up all the needles in the public park "for charity" or something LESS selfish that would benefit the community?

Answer 1

I guess the basic answer is: because it works. A lot of people do give, especially if you can get children, cancer or heart disease in the title of your project.

There is a more serious point that often if you want to raise money on a big scale you have to come up with a big project that will attract publicity, that might attract corporate sponsors (who can get their own publicity from it) etc. Part of the event is often to raise awareness of the charity and its concerns.

If people approve of the cause but don't want to pay for the holiday they can simply respond by saying that they'd give the money directly to the charity and cut out the irrelevant overhead. However the dismal truth is that more money tends to be raised even when you've taken off the expenses by sponsored events than by just asking people to give.

They expect the public to sponsor, because on the whole the public doesn't question very much when you bandy about the phrase 'sick children' .

Answer 2

Very good point!
I am actually more concerned about those that creating a Welfare nation. The country needs a serious reform.

How would you feel if at age 15-17 you were required to serve a social service for 5 hours a week for the betterment of the community? It works and its changing the face of our young! They do that here in local high schools. You do care for seniors (chores like cleaning or yard care), childcare for local moms, at school they make bag lunches for kids at a local elementary and church food bank so they can take home dinner or food for weekend.


The biggest need is the "meals on wheels" program, and "hot lunch" programs for the "shut in's at home. I know first hand that it is sometimes the only meal they get a day.

You are just the person to inspire others to do this by leading the way yourself. Best wishes

Answer 3

I'm with you on this one 100%. It is so annoying. Almost as annoying as when posh kids have a 'gap year' and go to 'help people' in third world countries. I heard a programme on the radio saying most of them were more of a hinderance than a help.
If people really want to do something for charity they should volunteer and do things locally eg. become an Age Concern befriender, work at a homeless refuge etc. etc. I have far more respect and time for these sorts of people.

Answer 4

How can sponsoring charities ever be a egocentric act? it extremely is greater egocentric for a individual to basically sit down around sulking and thinking how unfair his/her life is whilst there are others interior the worldwide who face even worse circumstances and are not waiting to help themselves (as against you being waiting to a minimum of do something for them). So i do no longer think of it extremely concerns once you initiate off sponsoring for charities or answering people's plights - the actual question is: do you sponsor/do charity artwork in any respect? to boot, it in lots of cases takes something or an significant adventure on your life to realize how fortunate you're (nicely, in lots of alternative strategies), so i think it extremely is rather everyday for somebody to view different persons's plights (considering a number of them may be some variety of scam) as junk mails. Nope, i do no longer think of you're being egocentric in any respect.

Answer 5

I agree with you, but it must pay the charities to organise these things or else they wouldn't do it. I also question your use of the word selfish. Charity shops are now buying in a lot of thier merchantise and employing people to manage their voluntary workers, Do you consider this to be selfish too?

Answer 6

Don't you feel guilty for not sponsoring the local animal charity?

I am with you as well on this one. I don't give to charity unless I know the ins and outs. And when I find out, I am surprised and angry more often than not!

Answer 7

You are right, a lot of strange things are done in the name of "Charity". Last year my Company organised a "Red Nose" day, and the ones who wanted to support the charity had to go to work dressed in red. I went in my normal business attire, wanted to donate 10£ anyway but they were refused.....does this make sense?

Answer 8

I agree....this is akin to people adopting cute black African babies instead of boring white ones in your own town, because it appears far more exotic and fun!
I'm afraid I know many "charitable" folk who include this travel on their "do-gooding". I think it was gutsy of you to find out about where the money would go.
True charity is doing stuff for other people without anyone knowing about it.

Answer 9

Good call, I have to agree. Mmmmm, I fancy a trip to Florida with my family, anyone fancy sponsoring me for a few quid? Anything I have left over I'll send to ...say... a nice luverly childrens hospital of fluffy kittens rescue home!

Answer 10

totally with you on this one its just a holiday for those involved i feel like doing a charity get drunk and hava kebab night. any money left over form the cost of the beer and kebab i will give to charity!