Stick your fundraiser - the hardest test will be leaving my children for so long

[LifeIsAMeatball]

I’m yet again avoiding a community fundraiser for a man’s ego. He’s cycling Africa with some friends. It’ll be tough but the hardest bit “will be not seeing his kids for three or four months.”

Give me strength. I’ve already had to endure years of the group of school dads who spent every summer on the lads “fundraising trips” - Lands End to John O’Groats, London to Paris, Africa (yeah, it’s been done already), cross Europe, some of Europe that’s a bit vague but conveniently ends in Ibiza during party season.

I’m assertive enough to say no but these things get the whole community behind them. You can’t go to the pub, shop, hairdressers or even the bloody dog groomers without someone rattling a tin for the local hero.

Meanwhile, there’s yet another woman at home about to solo parent with no plaudits - and would she even dare to argue her lot given the whole community thinks he is amazing?

This particular fine specimen enjoys free drinks at the pub to celebrate him before he leaves in 3 weeks. His wife is at home with a four week old, a 3 year old with additional needs and a six year old.

My ex-manager (a woman) was always trying to rally people behind her fundraising activities. She was a narcissist who treated everyone like shit but wanted to pretend she cared for others.

She lied, schemed, bullied people, manipulated them, cried when she got caught to then rinse and repeat.

But, sure. I'll give you money to climb a mountain while I cover for you at work 🙄

Whenever someone is doing things like this for charity, my first thought it that they either want someone else to pay for their trip or fucking off to Africa for 4 months looks bad so let's pretend it is for charity.

His wife is at home with a four week old, a 3 year old with additional needs and a six year old.

Bloody hell, he's being paid to neglect his duties as a father. Poor woman!

He’s such a selfish arsehole!!! Poor woman.

I think it will be a lot more than that.
l am too invested in this but I found a trip next year that is $21 000 and that is camping most of the time. With the level of support needed I don’t think an individual will do it for a lot less.

It does depend how honest people are. I had a friend do a long fundraising trip and they paid vast majority of stuff out of their own pocket, plus had businesses donate stuff like car rentals for a few days, most of the accomodation was sorted in the same way, local restaurants donated meals so they didnt have to pay for most of the food etc.

To be fair, she will have one less human to deal with, so I think that's a win.

ah yes she was forced into the trade of having one child after the other…and a life with Just chores and no hobbies.

not all wives/mothers are long suffering. Are you privy to everything that goes on in their lives/behind closed doors.

i am a mum too and my other half haves hobbies. He coaches rugby in under privileged countries around the world to keep youngsters out of trouble and is a very big supporter of the wooden spoon rugby charity supporting children with disabilities. He usually works out wants he wants to do/what is feasible at the beginning of the year and we pop in our mutual diary, I have a full time job but volunteer with a charity that run neutering campaigns in countries we’re the stray dog population is out of control. I schedule my trips too and whilst sometimes our daughter can travel (she is a baby) we don’t always take her. Ie my next trip the nanny is coming so I can still see her. He is out for two weeks in the summer (Kenya) so I will go with him. (Maybe not for the whole two weeks)
Some couple so talk/support each others (and irritate each too)