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November 27, 2007
The Greed of the Charities
Charities are a strange phenomenon. Yesterday I received my confirmation that I would be doing the London Marathon in 2008. As I got my entry through the ballot and it isn't a Golden Bond entry through a charity, I technically don't have to attempt to raise money for any charity, but I decided that I would run for a charity and do some fundraising in any case.
I went through the list of charities in the magazine and online and finally have 4 in mind that was close to my heart. I ordered them according to preference and this morning phoned up the first one. I spoke to a very nice lady who informed me that, even though I had my own place, I would have to commit to raising £2000 if I wanted to run for them.
What if I couldn't raise £2000?
I'd have to pay in the difference.
Right, not running for them then.
I phoned the second charity. Once again, a very nice girl at the other side told me that I'd have to commit to raising at least £1500.
Oh dear. Things weren't looking good.
I phoned the third charity. An elderly lady, by the sound of her voice, answered. I told her I had my own entry. Then asked her whether I had to commit to raising a certain amount if I wanted to run for them. Oh, yes. £1500. Unfortunately. She didn't agree with it, but rules are rules.
A bit demotivated I phoned the fourth charity. This time it was a male voice that answered. I repeated the process of telling him that I wanted to run for a charity, that I had my own place and would I have to commit to a certain amount.
Oh the joy and surprise when he said 'No, any amount you raise is great. Even if it is just £20'. So, I'm running for Marie Curie Cancer Care. And I get a deely bopper to decorate myself with on the day. I'll have to setup the page this afternoon, but at least now I feel like I'm doing something nice while enjoying something that I like doing.
Posted by karinm at November 27, 2007 11:59 AM
Comments
That's annoying. I can totally see them setting a minimum if you're using them to get an entry in the race, but if you've already got your own entry? And are just trying to do something good? Yeah. Nuts. I'm glad you found one that wasn't going to hold you to a minimum.
Posted by: Dawn at November 27, 2007 4:11 PM
woohoo! see? that was the charity you wanted to run for anyway. it worked out for the best.
deelybopperhead, here you come!
Posted by: jeff at November 27, 2007 8:59 PM
way to go. i did this last year for the Marine Corps Marathon. I ran for Cure Autism Now and they said the same thing! I signed on the dotted line.
Posted by: jeanne at November 28, 2007 5:54 PM
Wow - that doesn't make any sense to me. Like Dawn, I could understand a minimum if you didn't have your own entry - but you essentially offered them money and they turned it down because it wasn't enough? I cannot makes that work in my brain at all. If you ever find out what the rationale is for that "rule" please do post it.
On the flipside - congratulations on finding a cause that is run by sane people to support. :D Best of luck in the race. Peace.
Posted by: Lilymane at November 28, 2007 8:34 PM
Here's hoping for a good race, and kudos to you for sticking with it. I've pretty much written off running/riding for charity because of the huge minimums.
Posted by: jank at December 10, 2007 11:52 PM