To Disapprove of Barnados Care and Share Challenge (sorry long)

[Joanie]

Last week my 2 dcs each got an envelope from Barnados in their bookbags. The envelopes are for people to put money in when they sponsor them to be 'caring and sharing'. They can fill in a box each day to say how they have been a good friend and this has to be endorsed by the person they have been a good friend to. There is also a badge for them to design which will cheer people up which they can wear on 'care and share day'. At the bottom there is a blatant guilt trip line: 'Please give generously if you believe in children'. A tatic in fact that makes me NOT want to give.

I quite like the badge-wearing idea actually, but if Barnados (good cause don't get me wrong) want money can they approach grown-ups directly and not cynically target infants who a) dont really understand what is going on and b) will feel pressured to do it cos its school-endorsed and in everyone's bookbag.

I also have an issue with the whole 'mom and apple pie' idea of a caring and sharing week. We should be encouraging kids to be caring and sharing in general, not just when they are sponsored to.

And dont get me started on the amount of crap which amounts to sales pitches from various (private) sports and activity clubs which again arrive in their book bags as if they are officially endorsed by the school and then everyone in the class will want to go to them. They are often not cheap, it is unfair pressure, particularly on those who are struggling financially. As we live in an affluent area, I dont think the majority of parents mind, in fact they welcome the provision of more activities and dont even have to consider the cost. The school should put these flyers on the notice board or in reception, not in everyone's bookbag. We also often get flyers for activities starting 8yrs+ which is frustrating for the young ones who cant actually go to them.

Grr, feel better now - even if IABU

[themoon666]

'if you believe in children' .. What does that mean? I don't believe in ghosts, elves, gnomes, but I do believe in children

[soultaken]

I think Barnados is a worthy cause to support.

[alicet]

This things in the book bags would piss me off too. Oh joys something else to look forward to

Have you spoken to the school?

[pigleto]

They are in a bit of a bind though aren't they? They have a moral duty to maximise their fundraising to provide for their work. So they have to cynically pull on your hertstrings with their cheesy message.

I get the same feeling when the dogs trust put the cutest dog ever on their adverts as being abused and then make him beg by voiceover.

[ellceeell]

The school will almost certainly be paid for the various sales pitches from (private) sports and activity clubs - but they usually have to actively circulate them (ie in the book bags) rather than have a pile available in school.

[wahwah]

Can you complain to the school about all the spam?