or am I ungrateful?

[MummyDoIt]

I run the Race for Life every year. Having lost Dad and DH to cancer, it's a cause very close to my heart and I aim to raise as much for them as I can in the hope that a cure, or at least more effective treatment, can be found.

This week I got a Christmas card from Cancer Research. While I recognise that it's probably meant to show me how much they appreciate my fundraising efforts, I'd much rather they spent the money on the actual research.

Call me humbug if you wish but I can't help wondering how much cards and postage for all fundraisers adds up to.

If you look at the charities commission website I think it shows you as a percentage what they spend on admin. For some charities it is way too high IMO

I don't think you're ungrateful or unreasonable... perhaps it's from another budget though?

YANBU, it does seem like a waste of money for a charity.

I may be biased...in the U.S. some people are actually offended by Christmas greetings of any kind because of the religious connotations.

You're awesome to do the Race for Life, btw.

I'm always torn when charities do this - if I feel really strongly, I write to them to ask me to remove me from this kind of mailing. They're normaly very happy to do so. I hate to think of my funds being spent in this way too.

YANBU. I always think similar.

Just re-read post and it sounds really pompous! Sorry! What I should of said was, if I'm donating, or raising, money, I want it spent on the charity's work, not on randomly contacting me.

YANBU

Do you think, you are over thinking it, because of the reality of why you got a card from them?

I'm not being rude, btw, I too have been touched by cancer in my family and Christmas in particular is a shit time for me.

You are clearly a very active fund raiser, but I bet a lot of the people that got those cards, aren't quite so. Many have probably even stopped fund raising. They won't have any money unless they keep putting it in the front of peoples minds and to do that they have to have a certain amount of money for marketing.

I don't think ybu to think like this though. Not in the slightest!

Its definately a struggle to understand why so much seems to be wasted on promotional "stuff" (pens is a particular bugbear of mine) but having just put my christmas tree up and hung one of Leukemia Researchs stars up in memory of my Auntie I can kind of see why some of the extras are required.

It raises awareness, promotes involvement and reminds us they are there.

Perhaps by reminding you of the race you have taken part in they hope you may be prepared to participate again?

I agree with OP.

I have given a regular monthly(small) donation to Cancer Research for several years. I regularly get post asking me to donate more. It often has a free pen enclosed.

This doesnt seem about raising awareness or promoting involvement to me. I always feel a bit cross, as it suggests what I give isnt good enough.

I think they only send you the cards to jog your memory into sending them a Xmas cheque.

I've now cancelled my British Red Cross DD as they were forever sending me junk mail. I set up a DD for a local disabled charity instead who never get in touch.