If someone starts a GoFundMe for a very specific procedure

[LazyMareofEastown]

but fails to meet the target, do they get to keep the donated money and spend it on whatever they want?

Have been asked to contribute to a GFM (for a not medically necessary procedure). I don't think the target is realistic so was just wondering what happens in a situation where the target for a very specific goal is not met.

Are these sites regulated at all?

I know I can just choose not to donate but have been put on the spot about it and feel uncomfortable/wary about donating money that may ultimately end up being used for something entirely different to the original cause.

Yes they can, even when that money hits their account they aren't held responsible for what they spend it on they could spend it on anything goal or no goal.
This is why I won't donate to gofundme's unless I actually know them in person and can trust them.

I’m pretty sure they just get the money whether or not they do meet the target and then spend it themselves on medical care.

They could spend it all on booze & crisps if they wanted, it's their money once it's been donated.

There was a big hoo ha round here last year when people in the community donated to a go fund me but the money was then going to be used on something different & it was all refunded

On just giving the money goes directly to the charity. The fundraiser never sees it. I have no experience with go fund me.

Hmmm, as I suspected. Thanks all.

I have concerns about the family in question (based on first hand knowledge). I can't really decline so will give a nominal amount that I can afford to write off should my suspicions come to fruition.

Comeon there is no charity involved. It's a private procedure (prosthetic).

Just giving have two different models. There’s one that is crowdfunding and isn’t regulated and there’s one that is donation to a charity.

I only donate to charity I wouldn’t donate to a private go fund me or just giving.

Of course you can decline. It's your money. There not holding a gun to your head. If your supuious , it sounds like you have good reason too.

Are prosthetics not covered by the NHS? Genuine question as they used to be.

Not all are I don’t think @NOTANUM I have a friend of a friend who has had to pay themselves for a water leg to go in the pool.

I had no idea people wore prosthetic legs when swimming!! Surely it makes it harder not easier to swim?

I know I can decline but I have to see these people every day (neighbours) and would rather keep things cordial so chucking a tenner to a GFM seems easier than potentially having bad blood.

NOT it's a bionic limb, presumably less likely to be funded by the NHS? Also, the person in question has had the problem since birth and manages very well without a prosthetic so maybe didn't meet whatever criteria was required for NHS option.

[Off Topic] - the basics are covered by the NHS but legs for swimming which are extremely realistic, down to skin, toes and nails you can paint are not, and they are expensive.

However for mental health reasons, looking normal on the beach or by the pool is worth so so much.

It does help with swimming if you are a below the knew as the ankles are flexible

OP - if something tells you it's not right - don't do it, tell them you would rather send them a nice gift after the op

I think there is a moral responsibility to update the page with what they are doing with the money if its not for the original purpose that it was raised for. Thats part of the ethical code of standards for Fundraisers generally i.e. donor has to be informed/asked if the original project changes. What you do in terms of who you complain to for Go Fund Mes, I don't know, I guess report it to Go Fund Me, but they can be slow or inactive (we found a copy cat page of another one - awful - and it took them ages to take it down).

IME most people donate the money to another cause if they couldn't use it for the original aim. A good sign is whether they have kept the page updated with progress updates.

It may not be loge saving but could you please stop talking about this as unnecessary and not needed and saving they manage fine as it is. It is just very mean.

Unless you are missing a limb, and have to manage with whatever the NHS have provided (which sounds like nothing) then you really have no right to say it isnt necessary and they manage just fine. Maybe they want to do more than just "manage".

You dont need to give money. It isnt your job to fund this for them. But you absolutely don't get to act as though this is a pointless frivolity or unnecessary expense. Be nicer.

If no time limit there is a chance to gain exposure, e.g. doing pieces in news or magazines, and increase donations. Completely your choice if/when you want to support, you might want to wait until they are near the target, or support in non financial way.

There was an AMA thread by an amputee who was lucky enough to get money for new prosthetics because hers had happened as a result of an car accident but if you are born as an amputee like PP have said you only get the basics which are pretty crap & can be really painful to wear.

I think this is actually a really worthy cause & id donate if it was someone I knew