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?

It started way back in Terry Wogan's day. I remember being surprised the first year how much people were bidding.

I'm not a huge Chris Evans fan but I hated it when it was Sir Terry too. Just makes the programme unlistenable-to for at least a week.

Yes, I think as the most popular radio station on a public service broadcaster, Radio 2 should offer more accessible prizes (such as the ticketed draw suggested by a pp). But they do. Every year there is something that is just a tenner - this year it is a bloody great Bruce Springsteen, all expenses paid, in New York prize, as I and others have repeated a few times now.

They've been doing this for a while now and, despite the criticisms n) they continue working on it, making it more efficient and accessible every year:

• the mobile phone companies creaming off %25 of every donation: sorted, they changed the T+Cs and now the whole donation plus Gift Aid goes to CIN

• They were unsustainable, leaving some charities uncertain about the cash each year: sorted, they have a reserve of cash that meets their current funding promises. Of course that has left them open to accusations of hoarding money ffs!

The big problem for me is the exploitaton of those who need the money! I hate it, the redolence of Tiny Tim instilled n every small child that speaks. It is a pity party I hate.

But I still can't criticise them for the way they raise the cash. It works, year on year.

My fix is to ignore the whole bloody thing and to give to charities of my own choosing. But CIN is the way many people give, time, baking, running, singing, dancing, money, scary things, funny things, national things, local things, whatever they can. It's about as bloody egalitarian as it gets!

I think most recipients of charity DO care where the money has come from.... Just because you are disadvantaged doesn't mean you have no morals....

1. there's nothing immoral about charity auctions
2. the recipients may not know that they are receiving charity. Very young children, children with severe learning difficulties won't even understand the concept of charity
3. when working with economically disadvantaged children in the UK it's often best to play down the fact they are receiving charity, it doesn't help their sense of self worth.

Such a lot of po faced comments on this thread.