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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

McMillan "hero's"

28 replies

Cameblackbenzleftwhite1 · 19/09/2017 12:27

Calling someone a hero for going sober for October is ridiculous to me.

Why should they call for anyone to sponsor them to do this?

If you drink that much that not drinking for a month then going on a huge binge is a big deal then just donate yourself what you would of spent in drink!

OP posts:

VladmirsPoutine · 19/09/2017 12:28

Tbh I think this is marginally better than sponsoring someone to go on a jolly for a week/month or whatever in Mexico.

Original poster

Cameblackbenzleftwhite1 · 19/09/2017 12:30

That's a pretty low bar though. I'm not paying for someone to "trek" Machu Picchu either

OP posts:

PinkHeart5913 · 19/09/2017 12:31

I think anything that raises money for the charity is probably a good thing and I'm sure nobody is forcing you to donate if you not want are they?

I also think for some people a month of no glass of wine in the evening will show them it's just become a habit and they may look at reducing it after the month of no alcohol is up, which can't be a bad thing.

Some might go on a binge after the month is up but a few people will look and see it just become a habit/they didn't miss the alcohol/they liked saving the money etc

StickThatInYourPipe · 19/09/2017 12:31

Ah it's just a way to get donations for a good cause. At least it's not costing anything for them to do it.

Heros a bit strong mind

Funnyface1 · 19/09/2017 12:38

I've always wondered why people run to raise money for charity, or stop drinking or shave their hair etc. Why not do something actually charitable, like donating your time to a worthy cause? I would sponsor somebody for something like that.

GloGirl · 19/09/2017 12:41

I haven't seen the advert you're referring to but I guess there point is that anyone who fundraises is a Hero. I kind of get that although yes I do draw the line at sponsoring people for something that is good for them anyway (physical health, mental health, financial wealth!!)

Most people I know who have tried to have a dry month (sponsored or not) have failed to do it completely so I just wouldn't believe it anyway.

Pennysnow · 19/09/2017 12:44

@Cameblackbenzleftwhite1

Calling someone a hero for going sober for October is ridiculous to me.

Why should they call for anyone to sponsor them to do this?

If you drink that much that not drinking for a month then going on a huge binge is a big deal then just donate yourself what you would of spent in drink!

Completely agree. I feel sad and sorry for people who think it's a massive achievement to go without alcohol for a month. And they certainly are not 'heroes.'

From google;

HERO:

a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

To say this fits someone who stays off the booze for a month is laughable, and also insulting to genuine heroes.

It's like this silly shave your head for cancer thing. WTF?

I just don't see how that makes anyone suffering it feel better. Just give 50 quid to the charity if it means that much to you. Or as you said, give what you would have spent on booze in a month to the charity. (That would be over £100 with a few people I** know.)

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 19/09/2017 12:45

I agree.

I've just kicked a caffeine and sugar habit (hot sweet tea was my favourite thing).

It's been a month. No one's called me a hero. Nor do I really feel like one.

reallyanotherone · 19/09/2017 12:45

The question for me -is macmillan a good or worthy cause in the first place, as has been discussed quite a few times on here.

They have the money and clout to adverise all these daft campaigns and make them "popular". Look at the amount if people that think the ice bucket challenge was their idea...

HailLapin · 19/09/2017 12:46

Slightly off topic but when I paid for my shopping at a self service Tesco till yesterday , the machine asked if I wanted round my shopping total up in order to donate to a charity.

I think we've all got charity fatigue op , at any given moment there are 4/5 sponsorship forms flying around at work.

ZerbaPadnaTigre · 19/09/2017 12:47

I think most people are getting wise to the fact that most people are fed up of being shaken down for donations/sponsorship every time they turn around. Calling them heroes for banging on about not drinking for a month is just suckering people back into the sponsorship thing by making them feel like they're part of something amazing.

ZerbaPadnaTigre · 19/09/2017 12:50

Slightly off topic but when I paid for my shopping at a self service Tesco till yesterday , the machine asked if I wanted round my shopping total up in order to donate to a charity.

I think it's a pretty good idea to give people the choice of doing that. When I pay cash, I often throw the 1ps and 2ps into a charity box anyway. But there was an article about this on MSE with a bunch of people saying that they'd had money taken without being asked. I asume because the cashiers are thinking 'it's only pence'.

HailLapin · 19/09/2017 12:53

Zebra , really? What a bloody cheek.

I'd go back with my reciept and ask for my "pence" back. I have no issue with donating and often do , but it's unacceptable to have someone else decide how and when you spend your hard earned cash.

Original poster

Cameblackbenzleftwhite1 · 19/09/2017 13:13

I'm not saying the idea of drinking less is bad, just calling themselves hero's, shouting about it and wanting other people to donate to it.

That Tesco thing sounds bad, I wouldn't like it and I bet Tesco take the credit for rasing it or offset it against sometjjng.

The ba offset your co2 I don't like either.

OP posts:

EnidButton · 19/09/2017 13:19

I agree. It's hardly a sponsor worthy achievement. Well done you for having a 'nice glass of wine' every other night. Have a medal. 🙄

Honestly, if it really does feel like the equivalent to running a marathon or climbing Kilimanjaro then they shouldn't be looking for sponsors, they should be looking for an AA meeting.

SleeptightDaisy · 19/09/2017 13:19

I liked the Tesco thing much preferred it to someone standing with a bucket. It was no effort I could of clicked no but it was 4p and if every person who went rounded up whether 1p or 4p it adds up plus it was going to a local charity.

EnidButton · 19/09/2017 13:19

*for not having

officerhinrika · 19/09/2017 13:29

I'm glad you raised this OP, it's been annoying the socks off me too. I think I'd be embarrassed to admit I thought it was some sort of an achievement tbh.
Not got much time for Macmillan generally anyway.

StevieNicksMirage · 19/09/2017 13:36

Why don't people just set up a standing order to a charity of their choice rather than bothering others for money?

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 19/09/2017 13:38

I agree came

If someone is hero for going a month without a drink what am I? I've not had one since December!

My dad has (hopefully had now treatment is finished) lymphoma this year (for the 2nd time). He used to get irrationally annoyed by their a dad/grandad/mum etc with cancer is a dad/grandad/mum etc with cancer you don't say

Str4ngedaysindeed · 19/09/2017 13:43

I gave up drinking 4 years ago. Am currently waiting for my OBE 😁

mumofddds · 19/09/2017 16:49

@HailLapin it's an option- you don't have to donate at all you can just push no and be charged the same amount...

Original poster

Cameblackbenzleftwhite1 · 19/09/2017 17:16

Yes that advert is also awful @bernard. I wonder if the adverts are free or if they have to be paid for? Global radio have alot of them.

If every retailer asked you to donate 5p at the till it would add up and get pretty tiresome.

The bucket people should also be banned apart from maybe a week or two in September imo.

OP posts:

DailyMailReadersAreThick · 19/09/2017 17:18

Completely agree. I feel sad and sorry for people who think it's a massive achievement to go without alcohol for a month. And they certainly are not 'heroes.'

Same.

I genuinely find it really sad.

Ivy79 · 19/09/2017 18:54

Bugs me too this does. Go without booze for a season at least! Spring maybe. March, April, and May. One month is not that impressive.

@HailLapin

Slightly off topic but when I paid for my shopping at a self service Tesco till yesterday , the machine asked if I wanted round my shopping total up in order to donate to a charity.

Yeah, this has pissed me off this past week too. I have been to tesco on 3 different occasions, and only noticed the 'charity round up' being taken on the third occasion. And that was when I got home! What a bloody cheek.

I already give to several charities via my bank account, (of my choice,) and I don't appreciate them taking money without asking first. I mean, I may have been happy to give, but at least bloody ask!

Apparently, according to several news reports, a lot of people have been getting irked about this. If they are not asking people first, it's basically stealing.

www.thesun.co.uk/money/4440642/tesco-is-rounding-up-your-bills-and-adding-extra-pennies-but-its-for-a-good-reason/

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