To disagree with Children in need

[BrokenBrit]

Perhaps I should preface this and say I do give to charity and I recognise we don’t live in a fair and decent society where services are properly funded.

However, I think it’s pretty shameful having children plastered all over the tv revealing their private medical diagnosis so as to get some money for essential funding.

I also hate the narrative of disabled people needing pity and charity with the sad music and dimmed lights (I’ve not watched it this year but that has been previous years experience!). Either that or as some sort of inspiration! I just hate this narrative!

Then there are the jolly celebs making themselves feels good singing a song and raising a few £ when what really needs is change to policy and practice, a properly funded NHS, proper provision for children with SEND and much, much more. But let’s donate a quid and feel good about ourselves hey.

AIBU?

A parent with a child in need can get support via a charity in their local area. Can you imagine the level of admin required to support and approve people on an individual level?

CIN provides grants to charities who apply and are approved and they support families, it probably means more of the money they raise gets to help people rather than paying for more admin fees.

maddiemookins16mum it was Paddy McGuiness doing the Radio 2 challenge this year

Agreed. Year after year they do this and nothing changes for us (disabled children and their families).

As long as our basic needs are seen as charity and meeting them a great big favour benevolent celebrities bestow on us, nothing will get better.

I totally agree, I haven't watched it in a long time

yes i agree with you although in some ways its good to see children doing sports and in a place of warm and safety away from the dangerous streets food drink clothing shelter is more important but also at the same time i would rather see them inside doing sports then carrying weapons and in joining gangs getting killed or killing others or ending up in prison or hospital too many of child and child killings murders now

same here me either its a load of toss

There are100s of billionaires or multi millionaires in the UK who could club together and end most childhood poverty in the UK.

But easier to get poor people to club together and donate instead, that way they get to keep even more of their wealth.

This absolutely annoys me. All the famous faces that get paid more for doing an awards night than I get all year. Why the heck are they asking jo average for donations?

No dont like it never have never donated I dont like the other one we have either I stop donating years ago

I never trusted any charity after the captain tom foundation money that went and got spent by his daughter I've never trusted any company doing charity work since ive lost trust in all donations and people like commet relief and children in need I think its awful that children are pited and made to beg for help I've gone off this years ago its off putting and very out dated in my eyes

So OP- let’s say tonight didn’t go ahead because people like you bash the charities and subsequently people stopped donating.

Do you think the government would instantly step in and plug the gap?

No, Never.

Therefore I feel it’s an inappropriate that people, like you, post these anonymous posts that may well just prevent many people from donating and then what? I hope you feel comfortable knowing you may be indirectly preventing vulnerable families from accessing the help they need. Let’s hope it isn’t your family…

My assumption would be this is to fund long-term commitments. Say they'll give to some charities over 5 years because that's what makes the most difference.

Who would be benefiting from a charity earning interest other than the charity in the future?

One if the things I have done since I hit my 40s is planning intentional giving. I have s firm list of what I DON'T give to:

Animal charities

People go to bed hungry in my area. That's a priority over donkey sanctuaries.

Church building repair funds

Jesus taught in the streets, deserts. wilderness and execution grounds. I don't think a defunct boiler is top of His list.

A certain illness charity (not saying what as I would be flamed to high heaven)

Very prominent and successful, for want of a better word.

I do have dd to my old school which raises funds for enriching activities. My school was brilliant and I was very happy there.

In 2026 I will also be donating to a charity that offers fistula surgery for women post childbirth.

I find it helpful to have a specific plan.

I would love to live in a world where I didn't have to battle for support for my DS and where services were properly funded - sadly we don't. We attended a playgroup in receipt of funds from CIN & it was life saving.

I agree we shouldn't need to use children in this way to pull on heartstrings etc, but it's a sad reality - fortunately my child & his complex needs don't represent the 'appealing' side of disability, so won't be featured any time soon!

Absolutely agree with OP

yes me too. But this is what gets me..Cute children who.are engaging are regularly featured. Children at the v extremes of disability.not so much though I didn't see last night's programme so can't comment on this year's.
It really is true that children like mine/ ours are invisible on the whole.