The
presence of aggressive and commission-driven charity workers – rampant
on the streets of my home town, with their neon tabards and clipboards
- has put me off contributing to many of the larger charities in this
country. Seeing people chased down the street, prevented from passing,
loudly admonished for refusing to hand over their bank details (‘What
do you do that makes your life worthwhile then?) on a near-daily basis
is more than I can bear.

I appreciate that these individuals are
employed by agencies rather than the charities themselves, but their
behaviour needs to be more tightly regulated if they are to be a help
rather than a hindrance to the charities they represent.

Charity gifts should be given as a result of personal conviction, not out
of guilt or a fear of being publicly humiliated.

For many years people have been able to support organisations through sneding charity cards.  By buying and sending charity Christmas cards you can help fundraising for organisations you trust.

Give to charity - but only give when you want to - sending charity cards is your choice at Christmas, support by giving charity gifts is a personal choice - it may be in response to a natural disaster where immediate aid is required or just part of your ongoing contibutions to help relieve suffering and poverty aroung the world.