Not so much giving, but taking part

Suffering from congenital cynicism, I'm always a little wary of giving to charity. I should preface this by saving that I have been known to give to charity in the past but with the exception of a homeless charity called Shelter that I use to make monthly donations to (when I was young, single and free of real financial obligations) and a donation I made to a friend's fund-raising page only this week for a cancer charity walk, I never feel very good about it. Yes, I know "feeling good" isn't the point - bear with me.

For a start being a member of what the Government calls the "squeezed middle" a.k.a - the sods that pay for everything and get nothing back -  I really resent being asked for donations for say things like local hospitals.  Again, I realise - very important and worthy cause.  But I already donate - it's called tax.

I also have a ranking order for charities - if you're collecting to buy sports equipment for your school, I'm going to suggest you get a Saturday job.  And never ever ask me for "spare" change because I'm of the opinion that I won't have any until I die and then by all means feel free to go through my pockets.

Recent events however have made me look at charity in a different way.  Money is obviously the goal of charity but I realised this weekend when attending a fundraising BBQ at my daughter's adventure playground that charity is also about community.  We're keen to keep the playground open as it offers an invaluable after school service which allows me and The Silverback to work fulltime.  The Lish loves it too and has blossomed there.

Recently we were led to believe that the playground was in danger of losing its funding from the local council.  I can tell you the thought of it had me in a real panic so much so I actually wrote to my local MP - which amazingly turned out to be multi-award winning English actress - Glenda Jackson. She wrote me back too!.  Luckily, it turned out we'd been misinformed, but when we heard about the BBQ - there was no question we would support the activity.  I'm not sure what I was expecting on Saturday but when we turned up and saw the swelling crowds all buying raffle tickets, buying crap up from the nik-nak stalls and paying good money to throw wet sponges at the playground staff - I have to admit that my heart swelled too.  I put my hand deeply in my pocket and bought way too many books and a bunch of raffle tickets for the chance to win crap I didn't need.  The Silverback too dug around time and again for change to throw countless balls at coconuts and sponges at the face of willing playground supervisors. 

But it didn't stop there.  I met the parents of all of The Lish's friends and all of this in the company of my own family - all united for one single cause.  I felt the warmth of giving that you rarely get from dropping a pound in a collection box. 

So I see why people get involved in charity.  It doesn't change the fact that I still won't be giving to every mofo shaking a box at me,  but I won't be knocking them for trying.