Most people have a lot less money than in previous years. There are also a lot more big races about these days that don't require such a big commitment.
I don't think the Mayor's response last year to not cancel and then cancel when all the suckers had arrived helped much. That guy shoud have been sacked straight away. A lot of people, including the charidees spent a lot of money for no return that year.
How much is a gold bond place ? ??300 - ??400 ? And charities are asking you to raise ??2000. That's a nice return on their investment. I guess the extras they offer you bump up their costs a bit - I think I'd rather the charity got a bit more cash than the runner getting a buffet or whatever.
Well, while the London Marathon continues to break the record for fundraising from a single event every year, I guess charities will continue to demand similar amounts....
peter you have hit it right on the head, all they are worried about is raising £xxxx, for charity and being the biggest in the world, and that is why I would never take a bond place again, made that mistake once,never again
Well, it's not a bad ambition to raise lots of money for charity. I think, however, that anything over £1000 is putting a lot of pressure on people who aren't professional fundraisers...
Diabetes UK are still major league in the grand scheme of things. Just a quick glance at the first page of Crunch shows four charities I've never even heard of. You may not feel passionately about their causes, but there you go...
Interesting that in all the FAQs on that Crunch website it avoids possibly the most frequently asked question: "what happens if I fail to meet my fundraising target?"
Interesting that in all the FAQs on that Crunch website it avoids possibly the most frequently asked question: "what happens if I fail to meet my fundraising target?"
I don't think anybody has ever been able to answer that question definitively.
I think it depends on the charity (generally, not just the liver thing) - but all will pressure you a lot, imply you have a moral obligation to come up with the cash, and pester you for ever.
Some, on giving you a place, will ask you to sign a document agreeing that you WILL make up any shortfall yourself. Whether they would proceed to court if you didn't I don't know.
I believe there is a 'blacklist' of people who have not come up with the full amount, and that charities check it before giving their places to runners.
I've heard that some charities have people drop out and then ask you to raise whatever you can, so I guess it can get messy at times. One foundation charity wants you to raise £6k!!!!!
In the couple of months leading up to the marathon I usually get a stream of e-mails coming to the club chairman account asking if any of our runners would like a place. They're predominantly from small charities that you've never heard of, and the closer you get to the marathon the more they're likely to just ask for their costs to be covered. Having said that, I got one the week before the race a couple of years ago that still expected £1500!
Some, on giving you a place, will ask you to sign a document agreeing that you WILL make up any shortfall yourself. Whether they would proceed to court if you didn't I don't know.
Any charities doing that would be on very dodgy ground claiming any gift aid, as they can only claim on voluntary donations, not on sales and if they ask you to sign agreeing to an amount they're effectively selling you the place.
Comments
Most people have a lot less money than in previous years. There are also a lot more big races about these days that don't require such a big commitment.
some were stuggling last year..there seemed to be a lot more posts on here than normal giving people a late chance
I don't think the Mayor's response last year to not cancel and then cancel when all the suckers had arrived helped much. That guy shoud have been sacked straight away. A lot of people, including the charidees spent a lot of money for no return that year.
with america part of it could be aknee gut reaction to people not entering as it might be dangerous....
i remember in 1985 there there 1000's of american students in brighton for a year overseas studies.
then after diplomatic relations went downhill and gadaffi threatened britain those applying dropped to around 100.........they panic big time......
I went to egypt a week after 9/11 and there were no americans to be seen at the tourist palces at all......
they think they are safer in their own homes with their guns
Well, while the London Marathon continues to break the record for fundraising from a single event every year, I guess charities will continue to demand similar amounts....
http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/1212612/London-Marathon-raises-record-53m-charity-year/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH
peter you have hit it right on the head, all they are worried about is raising £xxxx, for charity and being the biggest in the world, and that is why I would never take a bond place again, made that mistake once,never again
Well, it's not a bad ambition to raise lots of money for charity. I think, however, that anything over £1000 is putting a lot of pressure on people who aren't professional fundraisers...
Is there a website or anything like that where you can see which charities are struggling to fill the places?
Not exactly, but there's one where you can see who has places left:
http://www.crunch.org.uk/
Rick, bear in mind that the more obscure charities ask for less because it's much harder to raise money for an obscure charity!
Everyone will give to Cancer Research, less so for (say) Diabetes UK.
As a diabetic, I'd urge everyone to give loads to Diabetes UK.
Unfortunately I have already checked with Diabetes UK and all their places have already been allocated
Diabetes UK are still major league in the grand scheme of things. Just a quick glance at the first page of Crunch shows four charities I've never even heard of. You may not feel passionately about their causes, but there you go...
Interesting that in all the FAQs on that Crunch website it avoids possibly the most frequently asked question: "what happens if I fail to meet my fundraising target?"
Charities for Great South Run gave away free spaces. My brother ran for Asthma UK for free in a £50 race.
https://totriornottotri.wordpress.com
I don't think anybody has ever been able to answer that question definitively.
I think they come you and remove your liver
Wouldn't that depend on the charity?
I think it depends on the charity (generally, not just the liver thing) - but all will pressure you a lot, imply you have a moral obligation to come up with the cash, and pester you for ever.
Some, on giving you a place, will ask you to sign a document agreeing that you WILL make up any shortfall yourself. Whether they would proceed to court if you didn't I don't know.
I believe there is a 'blacklist' of people who have not come up with the full amount, and that charities check it before giving their places to runners.
They'd never take anyone to court - how bad would that look?
I agree that the worst they would probably do is not let you run for charity again. And I'm guessing that would also depend on the circumstances.
"If you don't deliver your donation we will make sure you donate your liver" It's in the smallprint
I've heard that some charities have people drop out and then ask you to raise whatever you can, so I guess it can get messy at times. One foundation charity wants you to raise £6k!!!!!
But what would Guide Dogs or Cats Protection do with a liver? Unless...
Put it in a tin of solidified jelly that smell likes farts?
In the couple of months leading up to the marathon I usually get a stream of e-mails coming to the club chairman account asking if any of our runners would like a place. They're predominantly from small charities that you've never heard of, and the closer you get to the marathon the more they're likely to just ask for their costs to be covered. Having said that, I got one the week before the race a couple of years ago that still expected £1500!
I remember once that The Sandinistas were only asking a couple of hundred quid (true)
Any charities doing that would be on very dodgy ground claiming any gift aid, as they can only claim on voluntary donations, not on sales and if they ask you to sign agreeing to an amount they're effectively selling you the place.