Who is doing the Dryathlon?

[Guest]

Yeah, I don't like that either. If you're going to do something, do it properly.

I probably got a bit worked up to be honest - I usually have a few bets with my mates about who'll last the longest during the customary January detox and none of them think I'll last the month, but I thought I'd give this a try this year - my friends and family have all agreed to donate, but only if I complete it. Like you say as well, knowing that you're doing it for charity probably helps with sticking to it. So I get a detox that I can stick to (finally...), I get to raise a bit of money for charity, chuck in a bit myself and do something healthy for the month too. Everyone's a winner.

I think this is a good post and I like what you're doing. But if the charity really deserves the money why don't you just stop drinking alcohol forever (apart from an occasional glass) and give the money you would have spent on alcohol to charity?

[indierich06]

I think this is a good post and I like what you're doing. But if the charity really deserves the money why don't you just stop drinking alcohol forever (apart from an occasional glass) and give the money you would have spent on alcohol to charity?

I like doing stuff for charity, but not THAT much! Besides, that would just basically be making a monthly donation to charity - I do plenty of those already, I'm doing this because I think it's a bit novel and it's something I've not done before. I did the Movember thing, I'm doing this, I'm hoping to do Run To The Beat at the end of this year, maybe do a couple more things in between - keeps it interesting rather than just sending off a standing order every month.

I do agree that it's annoying when people bug you for donations though, which is why I usually just ask people who I know are more receptive to that kind of thing than going round with my cap in my hand. I work in a massive office and it does annoy me when you get people coming around from other departments asking for sponsorships who normally wouldn't give you the time of day and probably don't even know your name.

[Guest]

I like doing stuff for charity, but not THAT much! Besides, that would just basically be making a monthly donation to charity - I do plenty of those already, I'm doing this because I think it's a bit novel and it's something I've not done before. I did the Movember thing, I'm doing this, I'm hoping to do Run To The Beat at the end of this year, maybe do a couple more things in between - keeps it interesting rather than just sending off a standing order every month.

I do agree that it's annoying when people bug you for donations though, which is why I usually just ask people who I know are more receptive to that kind of thing than going round with my cap in my hand. I work in a massive office and it does annoy me when you get people coming around from other departments asking for sponsorships who normally wouldn't give you the time of day and probably don't even know your name.

And may I say that I wish I was as generous as you sound, but sadly, I'm not. I do give to causes I wish to, but I think of myself and my family first and others secondly. In fact most of my donations are to causes that I have had direct reasons to need or been affected by.

[indierich06]

And may I say that I wish I was as generous as you sound, but sadly, I'm not. I do give to causes I wish to, but I think of myself and my family first and others secondly. In fact most of my donations are to causes that I have had direct reasons to need or been affected by.

Don't get me wrong, I only give within my means - I don't give a massive amount, just a few quid to a few different charities every month, and it's all to charities that really strike a chord with me. I would never demand anyone give money to charity and I'm completely with you when you say you need to look after yourself and your family first. I could probably afford to give more, but I'm happy with what I do at the minute and that's all that matters. All I'd say to anyone is give what you feel happy to give, if you can't afford to give anything, that's ok too.

[ADK]

Can't stand the whole sponsorship thing, it always boils down to basically "I'm doing something I want to do, and i'd like you to give some money to a charity, i'll then take some credit for it". Whether it's climbing Kilimanjaro, running a marathon, growing a moustache or laying off the booze. There's absolutely no connection between the two. I'm skeptical about the merits of charities as they often just seem like another industry with well paid directors. This isn't aimed at anyone specifically, it's just my opinion.

[The People's Hero]

ADK - entitled to your opinion, but I'll remind you of this if you or any of yours ever require the services of one of many local hospices which are partially gov funded but do rely on charity of the community to keep running.

I wouldn't wish it on anyone and I do think these sorts of services should be entirely gov funded, but ultimately if we want them to exist and feel like we would use them if needed, we should contribute.

[Jon the Hat]

ADK - entitled to your opinion, but I'll remind you of this if you or any of yours ever require the services of one of many local hospices which are partially gov funded but do rely on charity of the community to keep running.

I wouldn't wish it on anyone and I do think these sorts of services should be entirely gov funded, but ultimately if we want them to exist and feel like we would use them if needed, we should contribute.

I don't think he was condemning charities or fund raising as such, and neither am I, just tend to prefer giving personally rather than via silly sponsorship schemes. I think we are reaching a point where lots of people are fed up with the whole thing, and that has a lot to do with the drop in donations, as much as people feeling skint.

[The People's Hero]

Fair point, but its important to remember what charity is all about.

Most sponsored things fail to capture the imagination now hence why I, and those with common goals, try to launch events which offer enjoyment and value for money whilst still raising money for a worthwhile cause.

[Jon the Hat]

Fair point, but its important to remember what charity is all about.

Most sponsored things fail to capture the imagination now hence why I, and those with common goals, try to launch events which offer enjoyment and value for money whilst still raising money for a worthwhile cause.

Is it a drinkathon? It is isn't it? Yes it is.

[Madrid_Fox]

I come back 2 days later to find out that this thread has exploded.

Let me get a few things across.

Firstly, yes I am contributing my beer money to this. Its going to be around £200. Secondly, my grandmother was recently diagnosed with cancer so I was trying to do something to help fight a disease that is going to affect 1 in 3 of us.

But seeing as though your all so negative you can all just f**k off

[The People's Hero]

Is it a drinkathon? It is isn't it? Yes it is.

Most recent is an event tomorrow night for Heart of Kent hospice together with Maidstone United football club.

Plenty of celebs down there, some names from the football world (inc Matt le Tiss), full bar, option of food, other entertainment.

I'm not actually directly, officially involved with this one, but I will be attending and its a great great idea to help raise some money that doesn't involve just taking a fiver off someone for nothing.

Also, I bucket shook at Maidstone United a few weeks ago and it really is surprising how much money that still raises.

[Captain...]

I come back 2 days later to find out that this thread has exploded.

Let me get a few things across.

Firstly, yes I am contributing my beer money to this. Its going to be around £200. Secondly, my grandmother was recently diagnosed with cancer so I was trying to do something to help fight a disease that is going to affect 1 in 3 of us.

But seeing as though your all so negative you can all just f**k off

Alright precious, calm down, just a quick question though, as a valid member of FT for 3 and a half years, in that time how many people have asked for sponsorship? I'm probably guessing around 10-15 (although possibly more), how many of them have you sponsored?

For example Stu has a request for sponsorship in general chat right now.

And how many times have you seen these types of threads with people complaining about being asked for sponsorship by people doing pointless and not even remotely challenging things, such as grow a moustache, or not drink for a month (if that is a challenge then you should probably get some help)? They are at least a yearly occurrence around Movember.

I'm not going to belittle you for trying to raise money for charity, I hope you raise as much as possible, but most people are reaching saturation point with their charitable donations, and get a bit fed up of being asked for more and being made to feel guilty for not giving.

I give to charities in my own time and happily sponsor people I know, doing things that are a real challenge, for an example someone I worked with doing a night walk marathon despite being quite old and having arthritic knees, she trained for months to reach the fitness levels to do it. I am not going to sponsor a stranger for doing nothing, and I am not going to ask for sponsorship from people that don't know me.

But if I did, I would expect some people to tell me to fvck off.

[DB11]

Nah, it's not exactly hard now is it

Though saying that, with my birthday being in January I'd probably struggle every year

[Mack]

As I dont drink I have decided to plait knot my pubes instead.

[indierich06]

As I dont drink I have decided to plait knot my pubes instead.

Stick me down for a tenner.

[Guest]

Stick me down for a tenner.

Probabl not the best choice of words given the cirCUMstances.