Damn begging letters

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 10:33 am

Just had a letter from X (It is not a charity, but it is not a company either) usual stuff, we have helped so many people, this year is our X anniversary etc, they would like me to give them £70 minimum

The paper is going strait in the shredder.
I think it's a damn cheek expecting me to give them £70, right now I can't afford to even if I wanted to, and to think how much that cost to print and send to me, and the person who designed it etc.
I understand charities need money, but ads have to be paid for, but to send begging letters that really makes me want to tell them where to go. I did buy a slightly overpriced "hoodie" I left a review to say how nice it is (It is, it's nice and thick) but have they bothered to publish it? no, and no other reviews either, last review was 2019.

Have you been sent a charity begging letter?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 2:45 pm

We are very careful now as they clearly share their donor lists and you get on multiple begging mailings from different charities. I do not give anything to charity now as I am doubtful if much of the money reaches the intended after the admin costs, wage bills, etc get scooped off. The Royal British Legion was a real nuisance after Mrs. D bought a couple of enamel poppies a few years ago and they got our phone number. Every year she got phone calls begging for money and I only got rid of them when I finally said that she was not available as we had divorced. My view is that I do a fair bit a month on the lottery and I know that money does end up on projects in the UK

DWD

Argyll · Post by **Argyll** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 3:19 pm

I got stopped in the street by Barnados a few years ago. The first question I asked was how much his CEO gets paid? I knew it was Martin Narey (arsehole) and he was on over 300k. The second question I asked him if they were still an anti-catholic organisation? I went on to explain when my auntie Ann-Marie was orphaned in the 70's my grandparents took her in. They needed some help with clothes etc but when they found out she was catholic they closed their doors. This is why St Margaret's charity was formed and open to all.

I felt sorry for the guy as he clearly was out of his depth but he needed to know who he was working for

It boils my p*ss when tax evaders like Lewis Hamilton and Gary Barlow ask us to give

I used to collect for the poppy appeal but when I saw how many MP's jumped on the political bandwagon I stopped. They clearly don't give a sh*t about ex-servicemen.

I also used to collect for Erskine Hospital. A hospital for ex-servicemen. I wanted to run the Edinburgh marathon but they wanted over £200 to use their name

Even though I'd collect more for them.

And breathe.........

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 4:04 pm

I get pissed when none of MY begging letters gets any response.

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 5:55 pm

Sorry to hi-jack, S-E, but

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 2:45 pm My view is that I do a fair bit a month on the lottery and I know that money does end up on projects in the UK

DWD

Ahem, thought you'd know better?

"According to Camelot's annual report, Nigel Railton, who became chief executive in 2017, collected an LTIP of £1.7 million on top of his salary and benefits of £1.2 million, lifting his total remuneration to £2.9 million from £1.3 million the year before." The Times, 30 Sept 2021

"With approximately 1% of sales retained as profit by Camelot under the terms of its licence, and 4% spent on operating costs during the period" Camelot website, 10 Jun 2021

"Camelot UK Lotteries Limited ('Camelot') today announced record National Lottery sales of £8,373.9 million for the 2020/21 financial year (1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021), an increase of £468.8 million." Camelot website, 10 Jun 2021

So even I can work out that means £83.739,000 Profit.

"Charities" have operating costs & executive salaries but aren't supposed to make a "profit"?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Dec 08, 2021 9:03 pm

I do. Camelot is not a charity it is a lottery operator and it runs the National lottery on behalf of the Government. 95% of ticket sales goes in prize money and to good causes. There is a huge infrastructure of sale points and agents get commission.

I am sure that money is made but Camelot is a company not a charity.

DWD

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 5:23 pm

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Wed Dec 08, 2021 9:03 pm I do. Camelot is not a charity it is a lottery operator and it runs the National lottery on behalf of the Government. 95% of ticket sales goes in prize money and to good causes. There is a huge infrastructure of sale points and agents get commission.

I am sure that money is made but Camelot is a company not a charity.

DWD

IIRC the Canadian teachers pension fund bought the uk lottery.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 5:40 pm

Neelix wrote: ↑Thu Dec 09, 2021 5:23 pmIIRC the Canadian teachers pension fund bought the uk lottery.

That happened in 2010

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 6:39 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Thu Dec 09, 2021 5:40 pm
Neelix wrote: ↑Thu Dec 09, 2021 5:23 pmIIRC the Canadian teachers pension fund bought the uk lottery.
That happened in 2010

So they've had a guaranteed 5% return for 11 years - not bad!