AIBU to suggest fundraising charity donations instead of teacher gifts?

[Orangeducks]

I have a place for the London Marathon and have a large fundraising target for an amazing childrens charity.

I am a primary school teacher and am expecting some gifts from families at the end of the year. ( I never ever seek them out but it is just very established practise in my school which is very kind. For instance at Christmas we send out letters every year expressly stating we dont need gifts and to please donate to these charities etc but without fail, at least half the class brought me a gift).

I really really dont need chocolate, wine (I dont drink), flowers or cupcakes but know I will recieve them.
Would it be cheeky to ask parebts to donate to my fundraising page instead? I think it is so much better to give to charity and as a parent I would absolutely love to donate to the charity of my child's teachers choice but I dont know if this is rude and grabby?
I have a close contact who is a parent in the group who i feel I could ask to discreetly direct parents to the page if anyone asks?

This is not a debate about teachers presents. No matter what I say and ask for no gifts, I know I will receive the usual chocolates, mugs and wine. I've been a teacher for 20 years and its always the same.
Im so grateful but think the money could be better used?

As a parent, I’d be thrilled if the class teacher gave some indication of what they wanted, including if that was a charity donation.

I’d check with your HT first. If they ok it then I think it’s a good idea for your friend to put it on the class WhatsApp group with the usual disclaimers about not expecting anything but they know that if the parents did want to thank you with a gift, then a small donation towards your substantial marathon fundraising would be most appreciated. Good luck with the training and fundraising!

I think this is a good idea OP.

This is brilliant, and also takes some load off the parents. I think they will be pleased with your idea for a teachers gift ❤️

It’s a good idea to give it as a suggestion. Some will do it, some will ignore it and some will do both. Kids like to give actual physical gifts to people they like!

I’d be more than happy for my children’s teacher to ask for something that really matters to them, much better than a random mug they will never use!

It’s a great idea.

As a parent I’d prefer this to buying a candle or box of chocs.

People might feel they have to give more to a fundraising page than they would spend on a cupcake though.

I’ve given loads of money to charity and now I want to say thankyou to my kid’s teacher. We’re gonna get her a cooling towel and her fave food item 🤣.

I’d be really happy to do this as a parent. I guess the only awkward thing is whether there’s a TA in the class too that parents would also give gifts too? It might feel a bit awkward if so.

I would worry people would feel like this. I want to be able to find a good way to say, instead of 20 children spending a fiver on a box of chocs and a card that will live in my cupboard for months, that could be £100 to an amazing charity but i just dont want to cause worry or look grabby so I'm not sure I will do it.

Just seems a much better use of £100 though!

I wouldn’t - I often get reduced items (candles, vases, face hand creams etc) for this purpose and save until needed. My DC then add cheap card factory/ home bargains very cheap bits so they feel they’ve choose and wrap it all. It makes a verynice/decent gift but for not much £££ (as have several DC and multiple staff for each so would add up otherwise!) If I had to give a donation I’d have to spend more (even if said donate what you can I’d feel odd only giving £2/3).

In addition DC like to physically give something. Wrap it write a card and hand it over to their teacher and be thanked for a “lovely gift” (even if it’s only a box of chocolates). Mine wouldn’t understand or appreciate that it was an online donation instead.

However, I’d have no problem with the libk being posted in a more “I’m doing this for x charity if anyone wants to give a small donation “ but don’t like it to the DCs thank you gifts.

I'd take a very quick look at the gift acceptance policy and ask the head but otherwise go for it. As a parent I'd be delighted not to buy tat. As a former teacher I may have asked for this if another teacher was doing it. Also do a quiz night and ask them to come in the autumn, well before Christmas, before your main training block and before this class's parents forget you and after the new lot have met you at parent's evening.