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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Fund to support Mumsnet through the battle

145 replies

ChandraVilla · 08/08/2006 21:32

Some other websites like Damsels, Downsizer and Freeforum have kindly offered to raise awareness and money to support Mumsnet through a legal battle.

As these posts are at a risk of being overlooked as have been posted in the long Nobody's threads, I'm starting this thread. If you want to contribute in someway, be it ideas to help MN or to send some money for the cause please post here

OP posts:
myfreeforum · 09/08/2006 12:49

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lillabean · 09/08/2006 14:08

I think you'd be surprised how much money you could raise based on people's passion and desire to protect mumsnet vs. raising money via subscription.

I'm not big on paying subscriptions, just not disciplined/organized enough to ever get around to signing up.

BUT, when I get my irish up about a threat to my much loved mumsnet.. well, then I'd be happy to donate as much as was feasible!

don't underestimate the love and devotion women have for this site... to many it a sacred refuge they would fight fiercely for.

lillabean · 09/08/2006 14:08

the paypal account is a great idea!

wannaBe1974 · 09/08/2006 14:50

I'm really not so sure about that. This post was started yesterday and out of 50000 members we only have 29 responses, and some of those are from the same users. I do think people want to support mumsnet, but I don't think that people are going to put their hands in their pockets to do it. If 30 people donated £5, £10 even, you've got £300. To fund a court case and possible damages you need hundreds of thousands of pounds. Pluse you need to consider how people will feel about donating their money in the knowledge that mn might be ordered to close anyway.

jessicaandrebeccasmummy · 09/08/2006 14:56

I am willing to sell my handmade cards with all proceeds going to the MN fund if it helps (not that im sure anyone would actually buy my handmade cards!)

cazzybabs · 09/08/2006 14:58

I would be happy to donate finaincally..well and anything else

WatTylermoonfiend · 09/08/2006 14:59

What about this site:

here it is

We could say something like I pledge £10 if 100 other people do the same to support Mumsnet.

100 people is the suggested maximum number to encourage people, but there is no limit on how many people can pledge.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 09/08/2006 15:02

wannabe - you forget how generous people can be - I don't know how many people supported Misdee when we had a huge 'fundraising' thing for her to help her travel to see Peter - but I know a LOT of people donated money - many of who never posted to say they would - they just did it.

hairymclary · 09/08/2006 15:02

I read this on another site, regarding the MN situation:

The thing is with libel (again as I understand it), even if you lose 'small' this could still be a £50K award against you, plus legal fees so you're looking at probably 80 to 100K,

we can't make that much money. we can't even raise half of that, so while it's a VERY valid cause and one that a lot of people would be willing to contribute to we just won't be able to make a difference, IMO

hairymclary · 09/08/2006 15:03

What i'm saying is that even if we raised £10k for mumsnet it may not be enough, and thus would be pointless because who is going to pay the rest?

pattilou · 09/08/2006 15:04

count me in. checking in from time to time to see what's happening - sounds like this is the money thread so will come back in a while.

myfreeforum · 09/08/2006 15:17

My understanding of these cases is that the awards have been quite small, albeit the legal fees very large

But I think the money could be raised. it is in a lot of peoples interests to stop this BS happening.

Lets make a few pledges here, my company depends on forums, so whilst we are not well off, I am prepared to send a donation for £500 if needed, as an admin of downsizer.net along with Tahir I would argue that of downsizer.net's somewhat small funds as a non profit site we should donate £100 (would need a vote amongst a lot of people but I think it would pass) then again with all the publicity around this case, maybe a few rich people and companies might help as well!

SlightlyFamiliarPeachyClair · 09/08/2006 15:34

Have to say, if the site is subs only then I'm off until grants day through necessity not choice.

But would be happy to send in a small donation when my grant materialises at the end of next month

MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 09/08/2006 17:05

Hi there
Just to let you know that there will be a donation page specifically for legal costs. We're just waiting for Tech to work his magic overnight so watch this space.
Thanks
Olivia
MNHQ

wannaBe1974 · 09/08/2006 17:06

hrh I by no means am questioning the generosity of some MN'ers, but there is a vast difference between raising money for one individual, and raising money to cover a costly lible case. How many people do we seriously think would donate? 100? 500? 1000? Yes we have 50000 members, but only a minority of those are regular posters who would feel passionate enough about mn to donate money towards a legal fund. imo hairymclary is right, even if we could raise £10000, and even ihat is a big ask, we simply wouldn't be able to raise enough money to cover the cost of a court battle and/or damages. Not forgetting that if mn lost this case it could be ordered to pay nobody's costs as well, and I have no doubt she can afford the best.

SaintGeorge · 09/08/2006 17:07

Brilliant Olivia.

If possible can Paypal be made an option please.

CountessDracula · 09/08/2006 17:09

What is this fund to be called?

We need something like the Private Eye Bananaballs fund when they were sued by Sonia Sutcliffe (after Ian Hislop's if that's justice then I'm a banana comment)

Howabout something to do with rockets...

Scoobydooooo · 09/08/2006 17:16

I want to add that i have not posted on this thread, but if a fund is set up i will be adding to it.

WatTylermoonfiend · 09/08/2006 17:18

Hoorah Olivia! we need to get netwoeking to all these little sites who said they would support us now....!

Alibaldi · 09/08/2006 17:22

liberty website

In view of the fact that Freedom of Speech is a civil liberty luckily in our country. I think wannaBe1974 dh's suggestion of Liberty is an excellent one. Has anybody contacted them yet??

jampots · 09/08/2006 17:22

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VladimirllichLeninQV · 09/08/2006 20:12

Excellent - I think lots of people will contribute to a fund. Not everyone wants to advertise their generosity

AllieBongo · 09/08/2006 20:13

look at you with your fancy name.. do some work vvvvvvvvvvvqqq

Kaz33 · 09/08/2006 20:26

I am slightly confused - "the lady with no name" has threatened legal action. But maybe she thought that Mumsnet would just capitulate/ pay her some easy money.... Isn't there a big chance that if we just leave her alone, after all the negative publicity that she will just go off and lick her wounds.

Are we raising money to fight the battle if needs be or contribute towards Mumsnets already substantial legal costs (I would imagine). Mark Stephens no doubt costs in the region in of £300 per hour.

I think that before we start raising money we need to clarify what we are raising money for? There has some to be accountability - once the lawyers get involved (an ex-lawyer here) it is possible to rack up reams of totally pointless correspondence.

Not being negative - but I think these issues need to be addressed.

VladimirllichLeninQV · 09/08/2006 20:36

At the very least, the fund could be used to allow the exhausted ladies from mnhq to have some proper maternity leave, should the legal "battle" not commence.

MNHQ work bloody hard for next to nothing. Im quite happy to fund that, if nothing else. Surely we all acknowledge the difficulties of early motherhood without the threat of legal action?

The fund should be set up, and as far as I'm concerned, MNHQ can distribute it as they see fit.

Should that involve a rather large celebratory get together for the whole of MN..well, all well and good