Aspinall &c

[STYRBJORN]

I've just been chugged by a guy from the Aspinall Foundation. Their aims seem good but . . . Not asking for opinions or anything that might be actionable but would you commit to spend £xx.oo per month?

Ric

[solus]

I read somewhere that these people who accost you in the street on behalf of charities are paid to do so and much of the money goes in admin and not to the charity in question. I don't know how much truth there is in that but it may well be worth doing a bit of additional background research.

Personally speaking, I would prefer to give direct to a charity as and when I could afford to, rather than commit to a regular payment which may become difficult should circumstances alter unexpectedly.

I haven't heard of the Aspinall Foundation so I will have to go and 'google'!

[Tringa]

It may be because I have lived and worked in London for the last 39 years that I am very resistant to the approach of anyone in the street.

I think the body language does it and very rarely does anyone attempt to stop me.

My view is if you want to know anything about what anyone wants to sell you is to say, "Give me something to read. I'll read it and then decide." If they push it, then walk away.

Dave

[STYRBJORN]

Thanx peeps. I'm naturally leary about these professional scroungers but if this lot are really helping threatened species in Africa I might give 'em a few quid . . .

[roseway]

The Aspinall Foundation runs two wild animal parks in Kent, Howletts and Port Lympne. They do a good job for animal conservation, so they're worth supporting in my opinion. But I'm very resistant to anyone trying to sell me things in the street, whether it's a charity or not, and I don't like this sort of tactic.

[Red Robin]

I worked for the late John Aspinall many moons ago before he opened his private zoo Howletts to the public - His weekly bill for pet food was getting too big! He was famous for many things - Gambling, Lord Lucan, and successfully breeding Tigers and Gorillas. Chancellor George Osborne is related. His family continue to run things and care passionately about wildlife. It's a genuine and worthwhile cause and if you decide to stop contributions they won't hassle you.

Hearing his name brings back many happy memories of very amusing times.