Sweet Charity

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Last week the wonderful Miss Fifi drew my attention to an article published in "The Sunday Telegraph" on 24th June. Sunday Telegraph article about face-to-face fundraisers.

It was not the article itself that angered me (although, it was quite one-sided) but more the comments that had been added by 100s of Telegraph readers. The comments blamed charities for many of the wrongs that exist in society. One person even stated that anyone who works for a charity must be without morals or ethics and is on a par with the corrupt bankers. Well, that's just charming!

However, the eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that this blog is titled "Mrs H's favourite things" and ranting is not part of the terms and conditions. So, my dear readers, I want to share with you why I love working for a charity, think the Voluntary Sector  is the backbone of society and why this world is a much better place because charities exist.

I began to work in the Voluntary Sector 10 years ago and since then I have seen the difference that charities make in the lives of people from all walks of society. I decided to work for a charity because I wanted a job that made a difference. I wanted to go home at night knowing that I  had contributed to a cause that might help change someone's life.

I am not blessed with the skills or emotional strength to work in a day service with disabled people.  I don't have the intellect to research into life-saving treatments.  I would not be able to passively listen whilst someone told me about their desire to self-harm. I am not brave enough to go to a war zone and deliver much-needed aid and I value my creature comforts far too much to visit a remote country and work with indigenous tribes.

However, I do know how to deliver good customer service and I seem to have a knack for Legacy Fundraising. I may not be making the same contribution as the wonderful service providers at Scope; the researchers dedicating their lives to discovering ground-breaking treatments at Cancer Research UK or the amazing men and women who give up their time to listen to people in great need at Samaritans. But in my own small way I am making a difference and that makes me proud and look forward to going to work.

Ideally, there wouldn't be a need for charities but sadly that is not how life works. The world is full of problems - disease, hunger, homelessness, social injustice, inequality and the destruction of our natural environment. 

Goverments probably should have the resources and the inclination to address these problems but they don't and they won't. As a result, many charities were founded to fill the gap. They saw a problem in society or a world disaster and they wanted to make the world a better place and help.

Yes, charities don't always get it right. It is hard to please everyone all of the time. But they are organisations that are founded on the best intentions - a desire to make the world in which we live a more pleasant and harmonious place if not for you and me, for our children and their children. 

So next time you pass a fundraiser on the street please don't tell them to "F*** off". They have not been placed there to ruin your day. They are there to help a charity gain the money that it needs to make a difference. 

And maybe it wouldn't be the end of the world to donate £5.00 a month to a cause you believe in - after all it is only the cost of a cappucino and a copy of "The Sunday Telegraph".

Hugs

Mrs H
 
xxxx

PS Are they any charities that you are closely involved with or have had a positive impact on your life?