To not be sure how I feel about this fund raising ....

[PooleySpooley]

Someone I work with indirectly had a competition quiz thing this week that you pay to enter and you can win a prize (not quite sure how it’s “judged”).

I asked what charity it was for and she said that it’s to fund her IVF. She made the choice some time ago to have a child alone (I knew this as she is quite open about it) and she has run out of money to fund it.

AIBU to feel really uncomfortable about this or am I being a cow?

Honestly? i think if everyone she is asking to take part in the competition is aware of what they are funding, then I wouldn’t have an issue.

I would not be entering the competition though.

No - I didn’t and then I felt a bit mean I dunno I just think if you have made that kind of lifestyle choice you should have organised your finances.

If everyone knows what the money is going towards and are contributing of their own free will without her applying pressure then, meh. Live and let live and good luck to her.

It’s stretching the definition of charity a bit imo, but if she’s been open about it then fair enough. You have the choice and don’t have to.

Out if interest how much is she charging?

To be fair people do crowd funding for all kinds of crap. As long as they're open and honest I don't see the harm

A charity has strict rules and regulations. What shes doing is fraudulent, by calling it a charity.

For me this comes under CF in the same way people asking for charity trips to Peru fund their holiday of a life time. The answer is a big fat no. And if its run on work premises, I'd be that sneak and tip off HR

Did she call it a charity? Or did she call it fund raising? If fund raising then she’s being totally upfront and it’s up to people to financially support her or not.

Iwas a good friend of mine I’d lob her a tenner or so to be supportive but I would point out it is gambling so she needs to have it all legit or else she could get into trouble and also she needs thousands for childcare.
Personally I’d just wish her well if it were me

It was under £2 - so its going to take her bloody ages to raise any money.

I wouldn’t take part but I don’t think she’s done anything wrong. She’s been open and honest about how the money will be spent.

If she's can't afford ivf, how on earth is she going to find a child?

I'd not be buying into it, simply encourages crowd funding which I detest.

It's not charity, it's crowdfunding. Which is fine, so long as she is very clear about that.

I wouldn't be participating, though.

Don’t be ridiculous thebigbang. IVF is thousands upfront. Regular conception doesn’t require that.

Well if there’s any element of chance to who wins (rather than purely skill) then she’s running an illegal lottery...

I would contribute. I was fortunate to conceive naturally, so I'd be happy to help someone who couldn't

CatWhisker

She doesn’t know if she can conceive naturally - she just doesn’t have a willing bloke with the sperm.

I’m confused about why she’s having IVF then.

She’s having it as a single lady.

She doesn’t need to move straight to ivf. There are other options first.

Why g

o to IVF without other options

I don’t really know her well enough to have that conversation with her.

As long as it's clear what the money is for and she doesn't pressure people then I don't have a problem but she may fall foul of gaming laws as it's not for charity.

Sounds like she’s running an illegal lottery and the penalties will be very steep if she’s caught. She needs a permit from the council to do what she’s doing. If you don’t like it then report her?

Even if it’s for a registered charity, you still need a permit to run this type of lottery. I know because I’ve run them in the past for a local charity.