Charity begins at home?

Another £30million from the British government:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24970066

Apparently that brings British government aid to a total of £50million and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) have said donations from the public had reached £33million…

…is that really £83million from Britain alone…..that is quite impressive!

Well, we’ve sat and watched Children in Need since it started and it’s been entertaining and sometimes very moving. The generosity of the British public is shown once again to be second to none.
One thing that does strike is how many of these essential support services rely so much on charity funding – surely the time has come for our taxes to pay for some of this.

Wasn’t it in part because further pledged aid was declined?

It was suggested long after the Tsunami disaster that some countries which had pledged financial aid never actually paid it. I would like to see a league table of the nations’ pledges followed up a year later by a revised table ranking based on hard cash paid. Now that might be telling.

Anyone as bored as I am with the annual Children in Need tedium?

Moggy

Yes!

I remember the Harry Enfield’s “Old Gits” sketch after they won the pools’

“Children in Need?” – throws wad of cash on the fire
“They can stay in need”
“Minibus for the elderly?” – throws another wad of cash on the fire
“They can walk”

Classic.

Anyone as bored as I am with the annual Children in Need tedium?

Moggy

Absolutely.The TV goes off here.We have had the bucket bullies around at work today and one was very close to being escorted off the premises for his over the top harassing.I am always dubious of where alot of the money goes.

True Chas,, Any help from anyone is the most important thing, but as both you and I agreed, they are in for the Long Haul.It’s bad to happen at anytime, but with Christmas looming on the horizon, it will have a huge impact on their children.

Be a good idea if the “Children In Need” sends the kids loads of toys.
Are you listening, Father Christmas?.:o
Jim.
Lincoln .7

. What lovely people they all are.

Moggy

I have encountered Philippinos in business and in health care and I wholly echo your remark. And I feel so sad for the predicament they find themselves in.

Linc – I meant my remark in reference to your comment about US aid being less. But it might be that with C17s and Ospreys and the carrier offshore providing round the clock airlifts the value of their aid might be greater than you suggested. In any case it’s the sum of what so many nations are doing which is so crucial for the people themselves, who will not care from whom it comes.

So expect to see a bunch of peeps in the Philippines wearing kipper ties and flowery shirts

I think the most incongruous sight will be whoever gets the hardly worn, traditional, double-breasted, black blazer with brass buttons, once part of the staff uniform for some long forgotten exhibition.

He will look very out of place wandering the debris-strewn streets in that, but very smart.

I feel the tragedy greatly as the restaurant, run by Filipino wives and relatives of those serving on the local USAFE bases, has been a part of our lives these past ten years. They treat us as family, invite us to their parties. Always smiling, always singing (karaoke is a way of life for them, not just an entertainment), but never able to be persuaded to call us anything other than a respectful “Mister Rob” and “Miss Sandra”. What lovely people they all are.

Moggy

Chas, Correct me if I am wrong, but as I understand it, the M.O.D. are footing the bill for the aircraft carrier, airlifts etc.

The £16.000.000 is a separate donation.(I think!!)
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Linc – in no way detracting from the traditional generosity of the UK, I think you’d have to add the cost of physical aid in all its forms including airlifts and materiel.

I have just dropped off a huge pile of clothing, culled from our wardrobes, to the local Filipino restaurant for onward transmission to Mildenhall then on to Clark / Vilamor

Little enough to do. But it makes me feel I have done something

Moggy

So expect to see a bunch of peeps in the Philippines wearing kipper ties and flowery shirts

Seriously though, Bloody good on ya, I can only dream how bad it must be, especially in some of the remote areas, I watched that poor kid rescued from the house where they had spent a couple of days trapped with their dead family 🙁 it makes you want to cry. It doesn’t help the fact they have a hot climate either, it makes you feel
Proud that no matter how bad it is in the UK with unemployment and rising costs, we always seem to step up to the plate in times of need like this.

I felt proud to be a Brit yesterday, when I found out this Government had donated £16.000.000, a small little Island with a big heart, compare that to the size of America who donated £11.000.000. sort of puts things into perspective, don’t it?.

Jim.
Lincoln .7

Thanks Chas…..:o
Jim.
Lincoln .7

It’s all there if trouble yourself to look for it.

How easy was that?

Linc, I stand to be corrected but I think you will find it somewhere on the BBC website, if you care to spend time ferreting out. I think it is published several months after the event as the final figures are not known fore some time.

Anyone as bored as I am with the annual Children in Need tedium?

Moggy

It probably wouldn’t be so bad Moggs, if we had a breakdown, as to where every penny went to/or was spent.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Well fortunately for those actually in need of charity, many have not given up on it. The year on year increase in the donations they receive is testament to the generosity of the British public.
As it is mostly UK charities that benefit from CIN I would have thought many on here would have supported it wholeheartedly.

The solution is in your hands. If you don’t like, don’t watch it, although how you can criticize it if you haven’t seen it for years is beyond me.

I gave it up years ago – I cannot bear these self-reverential charity fests, despite the good they appear to do.

Anyone as bored as I am with the annual Children in Need tedium?

Moggy