Comic Relief

[Noth43]

Have you ever considered where the money goes exactly?
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3618/comic-relief-charity-extremists
I've just found this, I have no idea if the links content is true or accurate in any way but am wondering what your thoughts are, especially as whatever you donate you in fact pay double for in taxes as the Government matches public money raised.
So even if you didn't donate, you're still paying...

[emmie]

i didn't and never have, there are other charities which get my coppers...
and don't know if the link is true

[THECORBYLOON]

From their website, "If you pay UK tax* and tick the Gift Aid box the Government will give us 25% on top of your donation. It won't cost you a penny. Please give your full name and home address and tick below or we can't claim Gift Aid" so the donations are not matched and donors are not paying double.

[Noth43]

non-contributors are paying 25% by way of taxes to cover Government donations. Still too much, but the question is really, does the money raised go to overseas Government officials with dodgy accountability and organisations with terrorist links?

[THECORBYLOON]

Of the £800 million raised and 15,000 charities involved, how much money and how many charities are you on about?

[Noth43]

Don't know, its the possibility that 'some' have benefited. Refer to link.

[Milvus]

I wouldn't take much notice of an article from Gatestone, a renowned far right, anti islamic organisation

[boxtops]

Sounds like sour grapes to me.

[Noth43]

OK Milvus, I've never heard of them before.

[THECORBYLOON]

You say "refer to link" but if they can't even get the matched by government bit right, what's the point?

[anotheoldgit]

/// "If you pay UK tax* and tick the Gift Aid box the Government will give us 25% on top of your donation. It won't cost you a penny. ///

I would have though that our government pays out enough already in overseas aid.

This BBC Comic Relief Aid programme has been going on for 25 years, this is vast amount of money, it would be interesting to see how the recipient's life styles have changed in those 25 years.

[Noth43]

//can't even get the matched by government bit right, what's the point? //
I threw that bit in because i thought it was the case.

[Mattk]

I agree. Lets sort ourselves out first.

Out of curiosity is this interest in Africa purely a British fascination or do other countries get involved too?

[TTG]

I doubt much of the money (in the form of medicine, food, shelter etc) actually gets to the people that need it.

[anotheoldgit]

Mattk

/// Out of curiosity is this interest in Africa purely a British fascination or do other countries get involved too? ///

I believe that China is also beginning to show an interest.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3642345/Why-China-is-trying-to-colonise-Africa.html