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Original poster

Facebook money request for NHS

20 replies

feelingmean21 · 27/03/2021 12:49

I feel pretty mean about this, but can't vocalise it on the group or friend's pages, but I feel a bit 'meh' about the asking for money for NHS workers.

I happily buy from Amazon wish lists that go directly to the hospital ward, but there are several Avon people who have apparently been 'asked' for moisturisers/hand creams, etc.

Today on a local mums group there was another one, didn't say she was Avon (but looking at her profile it was obvious), putting out an urgent appeal the ward had sent her (no mention of what ward), saying they were in desperate need of moisturiser as the masks were making their faces sore.

Unlike usual requests, where you're asked to buy a moisturiser from them, she's requested people to send money to her PayPal via 'friends and family', then she will make up the order.

I'm sure she is genuinely buying with the money, but something feels off, plus the fact that the hospital have contacted her personally, not going to SM themselves, or putting it on their Amazon wish list.

I don't know what they gain, except thanks and maybe commission (don't know whether they do or not).

Being a grumpy sod I know.

OP posts:

Crinkle77 · 27/03/2021 12:51

Sounds dodgy to me especially asking for friends and family payment.

VimFuego101 · 27/03/2021 12:52

I would feel the same way if the requester was an MLM type company.

sleepyhead · 27/03/2021 12:52

Sounds like she's boosting her sales. Sneaky.

Mayvis · 27/03/2021 12:57

The MLM huns (most noticeably Avon and Body Shop) have milked the ‘NHS needs ...’ during the pandemic. A sly way to boost their sales and commissions, trying to work their way up the MLM ladder.

There is no way I’d send money to someone who is claiming they were contacted directly for beauty products that they sell. I will also never spend my money with Avon or Body Shop again.

Original poster

feelingmean21 · 27/03/2021 13:03

It does seem sneaky, the amount of people sending screenshots of their donations to her PayPal had me doubting myself though!

OP posts:

Hoppinggreen · 27/03/2021 13:07

Bollocks have the hospital contacted her
All the mil huns are at it round here too and even if they do pass on the products they will make money and/or boost their sales
A Body Shop one here on my local FB page was going all PA about how people had only sent enough for 3 hand creams. It’s so prevalent that it has to have come as a suggestion from higher up the chain which is really shitty and another reason why I won’t buy anything from Body Shop

GintyMcGinty · 27/03/2021 13:10

Why can't the NHS workers buy their own moisturizer like everyone else?

hellcatspangle · 27/03/2021 13:10

This was all going on last year as well. One of my fb friends does body shop and did a big thing about people "donating" hand creams for nurses (they were buying them off her, lining her pockets and she was dropping them off at the hospital)

ThrowingAShellstrop · 27/03/2021 13:10

This is bollocks.

As a frontline worker I’ve received plenty of freebies over the last year. Individual wards don’t ask for things, the Trust may approach companies but usually things are offered by companies. All donations like this go to a centralised department that dishes it all out to where it’s needed. There is never any money involved because it is deemed a conflict of interest and has to be declared.

Besides, all the frontline staff I work with need really good quality stuff, not bloody Avon crap.

dontsaveusername · 27/03/2021 13:16

Anything asking for money on social media is deleted by me, or hidden.

UseOfWeapons · 27/03/2021 13:19

I wouldn’t touch anything like that with a barge pole.
I think you’re right to be wary. I can’t speak for other hospitals, but mine does not allow ‘appeals’ like this, members of staff can be disciplined for what is effectively begging, if they are involved.

Anyone wanting to donate is given contact details for a hub that is dealing with this kind of thing, and whilst they will be likely to channel a donation to a particular ward if the donor is explicit, most are told that the donation will go where they are needed...and thanked!

I really dislike this kind of manipulative behaviour, and doing in the name of the NHS should be discouraged. We have often been given hand cream, a big donor was Tesco at one point, but we’ve also had Vaseline send us a huge box of handcreams, and very nice too. Again, the donor contacted the hospital, and wanted to give, and their donation was much appreciated, but I would loathe anyone being put in the position of feeling like they should donate, or virtue signalling.

Sorry for the mini rant, but I have seen appeals online by HCP asking for things they need, and I think they are CFs!

TheDaydreamBelievers · 27/03/2021 13:29

I'm an NHS clinician and we would not be allowed to ask for freebies. At best, shes sending them to wards and making money from sales. Also the staff might not even be allowed to take them. At worst, shes scamming and keeping the products

PanamaPattie · 27/03/2021 13:30

Ask her to provide the proof that the ward has contacted her. On Facebook. Hun.

Lbnc2021 · 27/03/2021 13:58

The actual nurses at my local hospital were putting out ‘appeals’ for people to buy from an Amazon wish list. Apparently silk pyjamas were desperately needed. Anyone who said anything against it was told not to bother going to the hospital if they contracted covid 😳🙄

needadvice54321 · 27/03/2021 13:59

@Lbnc2021

smallandimperfectlyformed · 27/03/2021 14:15

@Lbnc2021

I hope that was reported to the hospital, that's disgusting! Also can't really understand why it is that they would be in desperate need of silk pyjamas!!

itbemay1 · 27/03/2021 15:10

@Lbnc2021

That's terrible. I bet their trust wouldn't be allowing that

Lbnc2021 · 27/03/2021 15:26

There was a bit in the local paper about it that stirred up a hornets nest, it seemed to disappear after that.

JustSleepAlready · 27/03/2021 17:26

Buy your own hand cream.

Eaumyword · 27/03/2021 17:56

@Lbnc2021

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