The vagarancy laws should include anyone asking for money, and include charity workers. They are ruining the culture of the place and making it look like a street of beggars.

@ Damian, I won’t be trying it. I’d rather get a job in a bar or McDonalds (with the more obvious current language diffifulties than do that).

In general terms, I know the expense of TV advertising, what chuggers get paid etc and frankly there are some grass roots charities like @ LizEMcG mentions which I would support.

On an annual basis Trocaire boxes were sent in their original envelopes from our house back to the schools with an accompanying letter outlining the TV and advertising expenses which my parents had access too. I guess being born and living a period in Africa changes ones perspectives on charity as we know it and indeed certain ethnic groups from Africa.

As for the Vagrancy Act, lets have it back please Dermo.

Tom

And the issue of imagery and language is also crucial – fundraising materials shouldn’t disempower (or worse, cause damage to) the very people they are intended to help.

To be fair, a lot has been done in both these areas. More and more charities are publishing proper accounts and detailing fundraising and administration costs (although this is a more complicated area than it may seem at first glance) and the better charities are very particular about the use of images and language.

Of course, what we really need is an Irish version of this crowd

We will be working with the Festina Lente foundation, I look forward to breaking down some views on charity support..

Ps We will not be advising the use of chuggers! Can’t bear that method of fundraising…