Yesterday, I went to my local Tesco store, where they have a very large Foyer. Inside the Foyer were two friends of mine who I have known for many years, I will call the man “Joe” and his wife “Ann” they were collecting money for the Wings appeal Charity. Joe is 86 yrs of age, Ann is 80. I have known this couple to go out in the streets collecting for this appeal in all weathers, and also in the dark.
Well, I made my donation, and got my sticker, Joe stated to me, that although Tesco let them have a table and two chairs in the foyer, they don’t even get a cup of tea from Tesco, Joe told me that they had given up 2 of the 3 days allocated to them by Tesco, as Tesco wanted 50% YES 50% of the Wings appeals takings for the use of the foyer.
I went home and phoned the Editor of the local rag, who was as infuriated as I was, and he sent a reporter, from Spalding 10 miles away to speak to Joe and Ann.
This morning, I phoned the reporter up, and asked if they had done anything regarding the story, she stated that the Charity of the Wings appeal, didn’t wish the story to be published, and gave no reason why.
The Editor however is not letting it drop, he agrees with me, we have men and women in the RAF dying at this moment in time so we can live the life we do, and all Tesco is bothered about is a few pounds.
Do members know if this is comon practice in not only Tescos, but other stores etc.and is it common practice?.
I live about a quarter of a mile away from this Tescos, but from now on, come rain or snow, I will be going to Morrisons or Sainsburys 10 miles away.if this story is found to be true, which I have no doubt it will be,
I will keep members posted re whats going on.
It’s a stupid question to ask, but what do my fellow members think?.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Moggy C - 19th September 2011 at 13:30
I think that wraps the saga up nicely.
Clunk.
Moggy
Moderator
By: Lincoln 7 - 19th September 2011 at 13:16
Kev. I suggest you read 137, thread from Sky High, at least it makes more sense than your sarcastic remarks.
As he stated these rules had only just been changed, No doubt if I were you, I would STILL be gathering all the facts.
Minor mod edit here
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: kev35 - 19th September 2011 at 13:09
Well done Jim for leading us all down the garden path on this outageous story which, it turns out, is not outrageous at all, or wasn’t until you poured petrol all over what was in effect nothing more than a spark.
Regards,
kev35
By: Sky High - 19th September 2011 at 13:07
Two comments on those from the RAFA. Firstly it would be helpful to understand the rationale behind Tesco’s policy and secondly is Tesco’s specific charity displayed or is it only clear that 50% will go to a Tesco nominated charity?
It is also clear that the collections are being made under new rules so Mr and Mrs Saunston would only recently have been made aware of them.
By: Arthur Pewtey - 19th September 2011 at 13:00
That’s odd. The charity seem happy with the arrangement. That can’t be right. Aren’t we supposed to outraged by this?
By: Moggy C - 19th September 2011 at 12:52
Published on Monday 19 September 2011 12:30
A CHARITY says it is still happy to carry out collections at the Holbeach Tesco store – despite having to hand over half its takings on certain days.
Members of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) have been collecting for the Wings Appeal at the Boston Road North supermarket after being granted permission by the retail giant.
The store grants the charity a number of days to collect cash from its shoppers but, under new rules, a decision on any extra days they collect on beyond that is up to the store manager.
The RAFA has been told that they are welcome to come in and collect on extra days – but the money they make on those occasions will be split 50/50 between their cause and Tesco’s chosen charity nationally – the Alzheimer’s Society.
The news came as a shock to elderly collectors Frank and Jean Saunston but their charity says it is happy with the new arrangement because it still gives them the chance to raise a lot of money for the appeal.
The Wings Appeal helps fund the associations’s programme of welfare and care for serving and former members of the RAF and their families.
Nicola Short, communications manager of the Royal Air Forces Association, said: “From our perspective we are grateful to Tesco for allowing us to collect outside their store.
“They have a big footfall and the generosity of the general public is fantastic for us.
“I can understand if Mr and Mrs Saunston appear slightly upset – they are dedicated collectors and have been collecting there for us since the store opened.
“However, in the grand scheme of things if we are granted two days of collecting and then the manager offered us additional days and we had to split it 50/50 then that is still money we wouldn’t be able to get otherwise.
“As long as it is well advertised that the money that people kindly donate is going to be split then I think it’s a great opportunity for us.”
To save the Spalding website falling over.
Moggy
By: Lincoln 7 - 19th September 2011 at 12:47
You could have provided a link!
Couldn’t find this important topic however diligently I searched.
On your 1st Edit.
Moggy, You had the link on what you posted, go back, and then look at “The top stories” it bears out exactly what I stated.
But will still be picked to bits by folks who need to get a life.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Sky High - 19th September 2011 at 12:03
Kev is quite right. It was there on the busy day non this thread, so one day last week that was what was on the mind of many in East Lincolnshire.
By: Moggy C - 19th September 2011 at 11:40
The Spalding Guardian still has nothing on their website for this story whatsoever. Then again, the most popular headline on the Spalding Guardian website is this…..
The reason given to police for defecating on dead hedgehog in street
You could have provided a link!
Couldn’t find this important topic however diligently I searched.
Edit 2: “Rather than activate Ford’s suspended sentence, Mr Stobart decided to “make it more onerous” by barring him from going to Scotland for three days.” Personally that sounds like a reward – unless they made him go for six days instead?
Moggy
By: Richard gray - 19th September 2011 at 11:32
Had a word with a Morrisons manager the other day and he was appalled that Tesco,s took any cut in the collections.
In his store any charity is welcome, as long as contact has been made to establish when they would like to attend, so as to avoid all charities turning up on the same day.
They are also welcome to use the cafe or the staff canteen, for R & R.
Collecting buckets are often on, each checkout as well.
By: kev35 - 19th September 2011 at 10:19
There is, undoubtedly, some truth in this thread but it is so well hidden that any meaning or value this ‘story’ may have had has faded into total irrelevance.
We started oh so long ago that, in the way it was being told by Jim, that it was clear he expected people to be outraged by his perceived abuse of two pensioners collecting for Charity in Tesco. Rather than provide the collectors with a drink himself he decided to dash home and phone the press. Surely it would have been better to just get the details calmly and then ask to speak to the duty manager to try and clarify the situation?
What about Jim’s assertion that all logo’s on the Wings Appeal charity boxes had to be covered. Is there photographic evidence to prove this? Of course there isn’t.
Then we are told that the collectors had been effectively gagged, whether by the RAFA or Tesco is not entirely clear, but then again being not entirely clear about things is the main thing that comes across in this thread.
Not much of any substance has come out of this thread at all. We’re not sure of collecting policies by supermarkets in general and Tesco in particular. We have a mysterious ATC Officer introduced to the story who, apparently, spent a day collecting at Tesco before being told to hand over the cash. According to Jim the Charities Commission forced Tesco to hand the money back. A triumph for common sense? Possibly, but then again a polite enquiry to the Charities Commission revealed that they knew nothing of or had any involvement in such a case.
The Spalding Guardian still has nothing on their website for this story whatsoever. Then again, the most popular headline on the Spalding Guardian website is this…..
The reason given to police for defecating on dead hedgehog in street
Investigative journalism at its best.
Regards,
kev35
By: AlanR - 19th September 2011 at 09:58
I made my donation at Stow Maries last week, I doubt they took any money from the cadets. 😉
By: Lincoln 7 - 19th September 2011 at 00:01
Paul. Seems that word has got around. What a great shame when trust goes out the window.Lets hope it’s another reason other than my O.P.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: paul178 - 18th September 2011 at 23:32
Well Jim, no one in any part of Bristol or South Glos that I visited on Friday or Saturday was collecting for Wings Day and also no boxes or tins in the shops either.:(
So this year my money will carry forward to HFH.
By: Lincoln 7 - 18th September 2011 at 19:27
VeeOne. I totaly agree with what you say, if I felt I was being pressured, I walk on by, however, if I consider the collectors are standing well out of folks way, and it’s a charity I think is worthwhile, I will walk over to them and make MY donation, and get a nice warm glow, knowing the fact I have “Possibly” helped some other person who is worse off healthwise than I.
I also applaud the collectors who stand in these places, sometimes without shelter in all weathers.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: kev35 - 18th September 2011 at 19:14
Is that opinion OK with you? You don’t mind too much if I have my own opinion?
So much ire, have you ever thought of taking up ‘chugging’? I suspect you may be perfectly suited to the role.
Regards,
kev35
By: Sky High - 18th September 2011 at 19:09
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion – obviously!:eek: I agree with Kev. I have never felt guilty even less made to feel guilty by collectors. Feeling is subjective so if you feel emotional pressure that is entirely within you.
By: VeeOne - 18th September 2011 at 18:38
How very odd. I have never been made to feel guilty or felt like I’ve been blackmailed into making a donation by anyone collecting for charity, whether it be on the High Street or in the foyer of a supermarket. Whyever would you feel emotionally blackmailed. We all have free will (and most of us have a finite amount of disposable income) so if you don’t feel either inclined or able to donate to a specific charity then why on earth feel guilty?
I intensely dislike the term chugger. I know what it means and I think it does a grave injustice to the legions of volunteers who give their time and energy to the charity which is close to their heart. To mix up another well known saying, one man’s charity is another man’s waste of money. It’s simply a matter of personal preference.
kev35
Well I DO like the term ‘CHUGGER’. I feel it is often appropriate. Some of these chuggers get paid out of our donations money although that was not the case here. These chuggers stand by the doorway so that you have to pass close by them and either make eye contact or ignore them. It is an emotional pressure tactic. If it were not so they would stand in an out of the way place and allow interested donators to come to them.
Is that opinion OK with you? You don’t mind too much if I have my own opinion?
By: Lincoln 7 - 18th September 2011 at 18:32
Baz, You need to clear your message boxes, can’t send you PMs.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Avgas - 18th September 2011 at 12:50
I see, once again, the story changes as more information comes to light!
Nothing had been mentioned up to now that each charity is allowed one day free. On the basis that there are over 4,000 charities, isn’t that fair enough?
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September 14, 2011 at 11:34 am