Paphos People

Hi, since living here, for a town the size of Paphos, its population is a less than a quarter, of the town I came from in the Uk, 250,000. I have never seen so many charities or charity shops in one place. The majority being animal charities. So I have some questions, firstly the need for so many ?. Secondly, who audits all these charties, is there proper commision to do this. It seems anyone who feels they duty in life is to raise, money or awareness, of the particular thing they feel strongly about, set up a charity, etc. I know a recent case in the UK where in effect, the money went in the back pocket.(no I am not pointing the finger at anyone ).......but my questions are valid.... Richard

Richard --you obviously ain't been to Wakefield I cant say I have noticed many C S and as for how they are run -- how would any one find out. But a good point all the same. Marj

Hi Marj............been Wakefield many times, from Doncaster. Not seen any charity shops, there, been in a few bars though....and I remember Wakefield variety club, very well.......even, was unlucky enough to see Des Oconner there... Richard

You have raised very valid points actually Richard, I sent an e-mail a few weeks ago to one of the animal charities requesting info on one of their projects... not sensitive questions, but questions other people were also asking.... never received a reply.

Jan

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ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD

Hi Jan, I am sure you are not alone, in asking questions, about what and where the money goes. Form what I can see, the good people of Paphos, many, many of the British, support all of the charities. Who oversees them all, who accounts for the monies collected, who does inspections and checks on the shop and other money raising events. I am not against, the work and the genuine people, who devoted there time and effort, better people than me I suspect. BUT it should all be totally transparent. Are some transparent are some not, this is the question. Like I said eariler its seems, to me pick a cause, a set up your charity. So who oversees the charities. What percentage of the money collected goes to the good cause..?......all this and many more things, should be open to scrutiny........ Richard

Hi Richard

I do some work for bluecross animal shelter, and i have been out and about raising money for them.
I can only give you an account for bluecross which i work from here in uk. When we raise money in our box we have no ways of gaining inside of the box, only the office can?. When we have done our bit, we go back to the office and they open it with a key, and while we are there they count the money in front of us so we know how much is raised, and they put the amount in a book, once again in front of us.Every month it is total up and put in a bank ,there is about 3 people who count the money.The money that is raised help's towards vet fees food and rent.

The lady who run's bluecross takes a very small amount for her pay, and on some occasions she do not take anything, as not enough raised that month. I trust them 100% with the money, and the care for the animals.

People like me who raise money get nothing at all, we do it out of love and care for the animals, we could claim petrol money to and from the shelter, but all the yrs i been there not one person has put in a claim, even if a new person arrives, they are giving a claim form to claim if they want to. I for one would not mind if they did put a claim in, as it can be expensive to get to bluecross, and they work really hard. It cost me about £20 per week to travel to bluecross, but that £20 if i claimed back would take away food for 5 dog's for a week, that how i look at it anyway.

Richard just a thought, why don't you pop down to an animal shelter for just a day, to help out, and to see for yourself how hard up they are for money, and how they cope. Not saying you have to go everyday, just one day, then you would appreciate all the people who work there for nothing, and you would see where the money is used.

As i said i can only speak for bluecross, and if there are people taking money of people for there own gain and not a charity, they are the lowest form of life, and i for one would chop there hands off.

The book's are checked by head office by the way each and every month, and blucross has full control how they spend the money the best way they can.

Hi there, this is the whole point. People like you work very hard, for your charity, and as you say, for no finacial reward. And I for one admire the people who, do some much for so little, I have friends who work in some charity shops. The thing is, you have stood up and been counted, and defended your charity, ( Blue Cross )......and anyone reading these posts, fully understand the good work, and how the honestly they run the charity, as above board and open as possible.........again a but, other people work hard raising money etc, for many charitys, are they all, as honest and open....this is the question...you can see where I am coming from..... Richard