Namechanged as this will be very identifiable if someone I know sees this.
I am part of a local fundraising group, we get requests from various charities nearby and we do all sorts of things from sponsored events to organising concerts to black tie events. We raise a fair bit and its all good.
There's around 20 of us in this group.
We have had a request in from the hospital for a piece of equipment that basically gives bereaved parents a bit more time with their child after their child dies at the hospital.
When discussing this tonight someone came up with the idea of being sponsored to be away from our kids for 24 hours. We usually try to tie the events in to the thing we raise funds for.
My jaw hit the floor and then others started agreeing. After about 10 minutes of discussion with most of the group either saying what a great idea it was or being totally silent, I finally got out of my state of shock to say what a horrible idea it was, really fucking horrible. I said that I am also a bereaved parent and that somehow trying to 'replicate' that feeling for 24 hours to raise money for this equipment was fucking horrific.
It wasn't my finest hour, I started crying as soon as I started talking and was probably louder/possibly shouting by this point.
The whole room fell silent and there were mutters of discussing at another time and going to have a think.
I've just had a message from the spokesperson of the group to say that they understood it was close to home and that I was upset and they forgive me for shouting and being emotional (it was written in a very fluffy way but that's the jist) and if I feel I can't do this event they understand.
I really need to write something back outlining why this is a shitty idea but everything I try I end up going on a tangent and not nailing down the actual points.
Firstly I'm not wrong am I? This is a horrible idea. Secondly can anyone help me with a non emotional message back detailing why this is just so bloody awful.
I honestly can't even believe one person thinks this is a good idea let alone probably about 10+ people.