Children In Need and BBC Radio 2 bidding

[Gweipo]

I usually listen to Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 but end up turning it off a few hours into the constant CIN plugging.

From what I have heard they have a lot of things to bid on e.g. Michael Buble concert, Spice Girls concert, fancy Rick Stein lunches. I have heard these in previous years so know they reach a high amount. For example the Michael Buble concert reached 11K I believe.

So, is it the case that these CIN "goodies" are just for rich people? I said to my DH that someone rich could basically sort out their social calendar in a couple of phone calls. I'm sure companies buy them and do something with them as well but it seems really unfair to me that Joe Public are not able to bid on these special prizes.

Foe example. The Michale Buble concert reached 11K. A bid from one person. The other bids dropped by the waste side. Why not have a phone in, say the cost of a call and an extra £1-2. Why wouldn't that exceed 11K and everyone is included? It is fair.

Its OK for Joe Public to make up the majority of the millions of ££££££ CIN donations, but they can't bid for the goodies. How is that fair?

This is actually the reason why I am not donating to CIN. I'll donate to a cause, but not through them. AIBU in the above?

I'm fed up of the One Show plugging CIN every year too.

And I'd rather watch the whole programme in an hour or so without the 'Stars' coming on to tell me how important my contribution is. Worry about your own donations, not mine.

You are literally complaining that rich people have more money than you.

This is how money works. Do you think instead of pricing things according to value and demand, we should have a raffle in Asda each day to decide who gets the nice bread and who gets the smartprice stuff?

Let's say someone bids 50K to get the Spice Girls package. Do you really not think that a phone in with a premium on top would generate more money than that, even with costs taken off?

It might. But would 20 phone ins for 20 different prizes generate the same as an auction? I don’t think so. People would pick one or two to enter, they wouldn’t enter all 20. So overall I think it would raise much less than an auction.

I listen open mouthed at the amount of cash people pay for these auction prizes. What sickens me a little is the emphasis on the size of amount. A much smaller donation from someone else could have been more of a sacrifice for someone but particularly from Chris it doesn’t get the same praise. Roll on next Children In Need without him.

I turned it off yesterday. I find it all a bit smug and cringe worthy. Also irritating they are describing all of these amazing prizes that become off limits for lost people quickly due to the high bids. Hopefully may stop when Chris Evans leaves radio 2?
shatnerswigat smug old mares pension fund !

I've stopped listening to R2 in the mornings - I was getting frustrated with how the whole CIN thing is being turned into a rich people's playground, but at the same time they're raising lot money for a good cause so I just say let them get on with it - there's plenty of other radio stations to choose from which don't frustrate me

Yes it's for rich people. There are millions of charity events only for rich people. Charities specifically seek out rich people for donations. It's literally how charities (and auctions) work.

You are literally complaining that rich people have more money than you.

No I am not.

Actually come to think of it, I think a lot of it does have to do with what ShatnersBassoon said. Chris Evans talks like everyone has the cash to call in and bid. I thought Radio 2 listeners generally did so whilst driving themselves around at work?

She's suggesting that the chance to win the prize could be offered more equitably for everyone taking part. Whilst ignoring the fact that the chances start at £10 and go up to whatever the individual's wallet will allow, often for the same event

Chris Evans is a great fund raiser for CIN. Many of the performers are his friends, people he makes an effort to cultivate specifically for CIN and those who say yes because it is his team who asked, or him personally it would seem. So yes, he is a bit pig in muck, but that mucky pig is a fairly essential part of the millions of pound raised.

And no, I don't like the smuggery of it, nor do I think CIN is a brilliant charity, but I can't find a way of criticising the effective ways they relieve very wealthy people from their cash without sounding a tad unhinged!

What do you suggest? A cap on the amount of money a rich person can donate to charity? What if you were selling your house at auction? Would you stop the bidding if you thought that not enough people could afford it?

PS, I don't find it particularly entertaining radio, but I don't think that's the point. I don't enjoy MOTD either so I just don't watch it.

@Gweipo I agree with you. It's like the odd 'paupers prize' is thrown in but generally it's rich people flaunting huge amounts and being praised for their 'generosity'. It could be a bit more egalitarian imo. I did raise it a few years ago with the BBC to get a very patronising response about did I not realise that some children don't have shoes etc. I think nearly 3 decades working in safeguarding and child protection I understand that a bit more than the person from the BBC complaints department. It's one of the reasons I've ditched Chris Evans on a morning and tbh I side swerve children in need in favour of local charities now anyway.

Chris Evans talks like everyone has the cash to call in and bid

Actually I think he doesn't at all, if you listen to him, he is inviting people who have had a good year, or had a windfall to call in.

I honestly don't understand how people can possibly complain about something that raises so much money for charity!

It's one week a year, and Terry Wogan used to do it too, so its not a new thing.

If you don't want to listen, then don't but please don't complain about people giving lots of money to charity.

I just wish I had enough money to bid and give so generously.

I share your pain OP

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amibeing_unreasonable/3416683-cin-auction

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amibeing_unreasonable/3416683-cin-auction

Cross post!

I don’t care that some people have more money than me. I have more money than other people. That’s life. I don’t get envious

Really, it's not supposed to be egalitarian. It's supposed to raise shitloads of money.

It's an auction, highest bidder. There's also text in items where you pay £10 and they draw 10 names at random (I didn't win alas!)

Perhaps it shouldn't be about raising the "most money possible". Perhaps it should all be done with integrity

Yeah, because that's what the beneficiaries of CiN care about, the integrity of radio 2 listeners and presenters.

I've worked for organisations that received CiN money. It was used to put food into hungry children's bellies. If I have to tolerate a bit of bragging rich people and some fawning from Chris Evans so be it. It's not like he's torturing puppies live on air.

Perhaps it shouldn't be about raising the "most money possible". Perhaps it should all be done with integrity

Seriously! I despair. I'm sure a child in desperate need and their parents is really worried about whether the money was raised with 'integrity'!

Its a charity! Of course the object should be to raise as much money as possible, to help as many people as possible.

I find it interesting when people say that the charity would raise more money doing it another way.

CIN are not upstart amateurs at this fundraising business!

Do you not think they’ve costed out multiple options?

And it’s about publicity value as well as the direct money generated. There’s (possibly - I’m not an expert!) more entertainment for listeners in saying to each other “£11K - fucking hell!” than in a raffle.

The lottery is open to most, for £1.

YANBU. I’ve turned Radio 2 off because it’s no longer relevant to me because it’s CIN big bidding and neither entertaining or exciting. Very Rich peoples club.