Charity Appeals On Tv. Do We Really Need This?

Yet another TV charity night aiming to raise millions for the starving people in Africa, to add to the millions already taken in.

Of all the appeals on our screens, this particular one is my favourite. It is easy to approach this fund raising in a negative way, many people find it hard to conjure up any enthusiasm as there really is no end to the suffering, especially in Africa which is in free fall to near collapse. Band Aid, Live 8, and many more keep puling at the heart strings with images that are harrowing.

Africa is not only a problem, it is our problem too. No charity is ever going to dictate to the governments of the African states on how to spend the Countrys wealth on the poor, because they will not listen. Corruption and fuedal wars will continue to bring death and famine whatever we do. so this accepted, what is the answer?

Primarily, I would say that the biggest change for the better could be the realisation of the Vatican in it's stupid stance on contraception, that has caused the HIV virus to explode amongst the poor Catholic nations. If only the Pope would stand up and say that "condoms are cool".

Comic Relief puts on a great show and i think that the stars on show are genuine in their beliefs, and good causes in the UK also benefit.

Nothing annoys me more in London than having these student charity workers leaping out in front of me like someone on an LSD trip, wanting me to part with my bank details as a donation.

I sometimes ask how much of the donation goes towards paying you ? Most just snarl and turn away. I just think of the old days when you could choose to put cash in a tin that they were holding.

I guess time have moved on, but one thing's for sure, any money that can give hope and bring a smile to a childs face is worth every penny. Well done guys and girls for making over £30 million.