Help for Heroes

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Ian M

My crewman for this event has just had to pull out, due to work commitments. Is there anyone who fancies a day out on the water I suspect it might be a long day, but worth it given the good cause.

Funny how things work out....As you probaly know Taunton is the Home Base for '40' Commando,this very afternoon I bought a T-SHIRT from an Ex Marine mate of mine in support of 'The boys'...and more important the Wounded,(Of which there are many)and Berieved famielys.
According to HIM many of the Marines are circumventing the' Help for heroes' charity as only 30% of ANY AND ALL money raised gets to the needy!!! Indeed, I myself have seen private collections around the town for individual familys over the past couple of years,and this I'm told is for the same the reason!
My Brother in law works for the Charity commission,and I will raise it with him later.
It may be a sad reflection on society today,and I only have word of mouth,but I thought maybe other members,especialy those thinking of fund raiseing would be interested to hear about this. Does anyone know any more on this subject?

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Funny how things work out....As you probaly know Taunton is the Home Base for '40' Commando,this very afternoon I bought a T-SHIRT from an Ex Marine mate of mine in support of 'The boys'...and more important the Wounded,(Of which there are many)and Berieved famielys.
According to HIM many of the Marines are circumventing the' Help for heroes' charity as only 30% of ANY AND ALL money raised gets to the needy!!! Indeed, I myself have seen private collections around the town for individual familys over the past couple of years,and this I'm told is for the same the reason!
My Brother in law works for the Charity commission,and I will raise it with him later.
It may be a sad reflection on society today,and I only have word of mouth,but I thought maybe other members,especialy those thinking of fund raiseing would be interested to hear about this. Does anyone know any more on this subject?

I think I have heard this about many of the bigger charities - the problem is that many of these stories have no basis of fact and are just hearsay. The other way of looking at this is that it is still 30% of a lot of money rather than 95% of very little.

Of course I would want to have 100% of my money going to a just cause, but happily I don't have any personal connection with anyone that would benefit directly so Help For Heroes has already had some of my money and will continue to do so until the charity is exposed as keeping 70% of my cash in public rather than rumour.

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Maximus

only 30% of ANY AND ALL money raised gets to the needy!!!

Do you know where that figure comes from? Looking at the Charities Commission web site it would seem that over 90% of their spending goes on charitable activities. This compares well to some bigger charities where the figure is less than 80%.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Do you know where that figure comes from? Looking at the Charities Commission web site it would seem that over 90% of their spending goes on charitable activities. This compares well to some bigger charities where the figure is less than 80%.

Having just had a trawl round the H4H website, I think I may know where the disparity is coming from. The charity set up a company (Help 4 Heroes Trading Ltd - H4HTL) [which is a completely normal course of action for charities - and relates to charity law]. H4HTL sells merchandise including t-shirts, calendars etc (£3.8M t/o). The profits from H4HTL go to the H4H charity (£2.1M t/o). The charity claims that the profits from the trading company covered all their core operating costs (£2.7M) last year - therefore the TRADING ARM contributed a surplus, after covering ALL of the overheads (not just those from trading) of about 30% of turnover. Most charities can only dream about that.

If you put a pound in a collecting tin or sponsor someone for an event - the whole pound goes to the beneficiaries because the 'business' side makes enough from merchandise etc.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Having just had a trawl round the H4H website, I think I may know where the disparity is coming from. The charity set up a company (Help 4 Heroes Trading Ltd - H4HTL) [which is a completely normal course of action for charities - and relates to charity law]. H4HTL sells merchandise including t-shirts, calendars etc (£3.8M t/o). The profits from H4HTL go to the H4H charity (£2.1M t/o). The charity claims that the profits from the trading company covered all their core operating costs (£2.7M) last year - therefore the TRADING ARM contributed a surplus, after covering ALL of the overheads (not just those from trading) of about 30% of turnover. Most charities can only dream about that.

If you put a pound in a collecting tin or sponsor someone for an event - the whole pound goes to the beneficiaries because the 'business' side makes enough from merchandise etc.

Phew, well do you think they might cough up for my fuel then

[Maximus]

Haveing done a little research,it seems Polwart was pretty much on the money
For anyone interested in an alternitive, there is a local Charity for 40 Commando called 'Help 4 Forty' where ALL moneys collected gets to the needy,pretty much because the few people involved give thier time ect for free.If you go onto 'Facebook' there are more details.
In the final analysis, I think you would agree, anything that raises the profile of our Armed service's commitment and sacrifice[Regardless of your Politics] is a good thing!

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by PeterM

I honestly dont think there can be much better cause ......

Originally Posted by Maximus

In the final analysis, I think you would agree, anything that raises the profile of our Armed service's commitment and sacrifice[Regardless of your Politics] is a good thing!

Help for Heroes is certainly a high profile charity at the moment, and it sounds like they're doing a great job. They come some way down my list of good causes though.

I've just set up a standing order with Medecins sans Frontiers instead.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Help for Heroes is certainly a high profile charity at the moment, and it sounds like they're doing a great job. They come some way down my list of good causes though.

I've just set up a standing order with Medecins sans Frontiers instead.

A worthy cause as well, I'm sure!Its a case of ''Diffrent strokes......and we ALL have to prioritise in these chasened times.