If a charity is open about where its money goes then I don't see the problem. If you don't agree with the aims of the charity or the work it does, then you don't have to give your money to them.
In some respects I feel that charities do more to foster a general sense of global awareness and undersatnding than anything else. I think it is good that there are charities that work abroad.
Look at the billions involved in the Northern Rock fiasco!Fact is we can afford to provide for our kids, elderly, handicapped, ill and truly poor here AND help in other parts of the world in need as well but we waste crazy amounts of money and resources.
As others on here have said, give to specific UK charities if you so is good at home or abroad.
Why does the Ambulance Helicopter service have to be paid for out of charitable funds?
The helicopter ambulance services prefer to be paid from charitable donations, that way they are immune from political pressures. They can then decide on which emergency situation to respond to rather than respond to the one which the politicians would like them to respond to. They are entirely different jobs sometimes.
They are also immune to any "league tables" which may be dreamt up.
And does it depend upon which foreign country the charity donations are going to?
For instance the New Orleans floods, in the richest country on earth many people were left homeless and destitute. Should CiN money go there? Maybe it should as there are many really, really poor people in America. But how would people feel to be asked to contribute to American poverty?
Likewise India, a country which can send a rocket to the Moon, if they are rich enough to do that do they need foreign charity money?
Personally I can't answer for the above, but prefer to give directly to charities which help children and animals.
John & Shel
Charity should begin at home I believe...
Lets get the problems in this country sorted out first before we try to put the world to rights...
As someone who has friends and connections in New Orleans, I happily donated to the Katrina disaster relief.
But that is exactly the thing with charity, you contribute to the charities you believe in or have an affinity with - that way you know where your money is going.
I'm not that big an animal lover, so I probably would not choose to donate money to animal charities.
Surely it is all a matter of personal choice?
I understand why some believe charity starts at home and I agree that more third sector charities in the uk should be more supported than they are now!
Personally - I wont give to hospitals or anything I think should be properly funded by the government. They dont fund anything that they believe local government should fund - so it goes the other way too!!
I have given my time to charities that support care for particular illnesses (and others) - rather than money.
I have on occasion given to charities abroad - mainly those where I know the funds are going on what's needed at grass roots and not on workers cars in the uk etc!
Travelling through some poor countries last year did open my eyes to the amount of poverty in this world and I would help some charities if it interested me and I felt it would make a difference.
I would still rather give my time and skills rather than money if I'm able to do that....
I don't give to charity, not because i am uncaring but simple because most of the money raised does not end up where its supposed to anyway, maybe if i gave money it would make me look/feel a better person but most of the collectors are on a commission, the moneys taxed again after its already been taxed before you even get it and the bosses at the top of charity organizations are on a huge salary, all of which comes out of the money you give!!! if i have spare money i give it to my own kids at least that way i know where its going.
I am happy for the charities to decide where the need and demand is most needed. We may like the idea of out money staying in UK....but then who would help the poorer children in the third world. The very fact they are from the third world means they do not have the means themselves to help. I say give to where the need is most.
It doesn't bother me where the money goes, as long as it is well used.
AND
the bulk of the money goes to those who need it rather than admin charges!
I read somewhere a while a goes that one charity for every £1 raised only 2p went to those in need the other 98p went on admin charges :shock:
It's that time of the year again. So forgive me for a plug for the Royal British Legion. A fine organisation that helps ex serviceman and their families in many practical ways. When you see the poppies make sure you give generously
) then my own family get priority. 
