To be disgusted!

[lightsandshapes]

My neighbour helped out with a family fun day recently. These are put on by the local family centre and funded with grants and public money. She admitted she fixed the raffle to favour one particular mum. I am disgusted and think people pay their money I good faith it could be them. How can I shop her without looking like a tell tale??

[NellysKnickers]

Well said Hemlet, that comment about " is that all you've got to worry about" was pointless and nasty. OP, maybe she did because this particular mum was in need of something nice happening for her?

[ZillionChocolate]

If someone has a hard life/has had a bad day then by all means do something nice for them. Ensuring they win a raffle is not within your gift, or shouldn't be. It's dishonest and I think it is a big deal.

[catsmother]

Exactly what Zillion said.

By fixing raffles etc you are being generous with other people's money and you have no right to do that however "deserving" you think the eventual recipient might be. Going down that route is pointless anyway as you have no way of knowing what shitty lives other entrants might have - who might just as equally, or even more so, "deserve" a prize (in your opinion - other people might disagree). And of course it's dishonest if you're taking money given in good faith in the hope of landing a prize when it actual fact they have NO hope of winning anything. Total false pretences and very wrong.

[TroublesomeEx]

I would report it too.

It's fraud.

The fact that she's a councillor would concern me moreso.

It doesn't matter whether this woman was in need of something nice happening to her or not. I can't imagine she'd be particularly impressed if she knew why she'd won. I certainly wouldn't be!

And even if she didn't care, the raffle wasn't a personal charity event designed to benefit this one individual. It wasn't advertised as such, it wasn't run as such and the people who participated didn't do so to benefit this one individual.

[TroublesomeEx]

Oh and OP, I don't think you need to worry about looking like a 'tell tale'. We're not at school, this woman was put in a position of trust and responsibility.

No doubt it was given to her because people felt they could trust their local councillor. And they can't.

[lightsandshapes]

Thanks. Im glad you don't feel i am making mountains out of molehills. Definitely not my only problem hehe wish it was!!!

But am getting a bit bitter and twisted about it now and writing the letter to the local paper in my head as we speak. Two problems are- 1 she is my next door neighbour and I have to live with her. And 2. I use the family centre a lot and don't want bad publicity for the overall organiser who is lovely and does such a good job!

[VoiceofUnreason]

YANBU. I don't think it's petty at all. I'd shop them. I'm appalled that two posters on here don't think it's an issue and one blatantly condoned it by saying they'd done something similar.

[Booyhoo]

yes, if you want someone to have something nice then get them something...out of your own money. dont use the money other people have given you to pay for something else!

OP why are you writing to the local paper instead of the event organiser?

[TroublesomeEx]

I wouldn't contact the paper as a first step.

I'd bring it up with whoever it was responsible for organising the event.

[TroublesomeEx]

I think the fact she is a councillor makes it a much bigger issue.

I wonder what other influence she has?

[alemci]

I think it very dishonest and I don't blame you for being upset. Beer's advice is spot on. I wouldn't involve the local paper as it may put people off supporting this fun day again. It is one woman being irresponsible not the other fund raisers

[gingeme]

Could you write an anonomous letter to the organiser letting them know about this woman ?

[lightsandshapes]

Good idea about writing a letter to the organiser!!! Part of me wants to topple her political career as she's clearly corrupt. But I will rein myself in! Also I'd really like my pound back. I feel she stole it from me!

[ChristmasJubilee]

I think you need to speak to the over all organiser telling her what you have been told. You have no proof so probably can't do much about it, however you might not be the only one she has told so it may "come out" from somewhere else. If you could bring yourself to speak to your neighbour and let her know how wrong she was and how shocked you are she may realise this is not the done thing.

[gorionine]

Yes it is disgusting. even more so as she is a "figure" that people might look up to.
If she really likes the woman she tricked the odds for she can just buy her an expensive gift of some sort (with her very own money!) without spoiling anyone's chances.

I do not take part into any form of gambling and this sort of thing is part of the reason why.

[gorionine]

Would you trust an organisation that cheats to favour a friend though?