Sport Relief.

Easiest thing in the world to be cynical. There aren't any less deserving people in the world than the overpaid footballers we call our heroes but we are happy to chuck money in their direction. We even talk of "investing" in our clubs, overlooking the fact that virtually all of it lines the pockets of those who generally speaking could not give two s.hits.


It makes us feel better if we just label it as attention-seeking by egotistical celebrities, or say that if they spread their own wealth we wouldn't have to. Of course they are self-serving, of course I know their motives are selfish, but the truth is that the money actually does make a difference, as much as we would like to say that it doesn't, that it just goes into somebody's back pocket.

We resent the celebrities' wealth yet we are unimaginably wealthy compared to many on this planet. We don't tend to starve, or be killed by easily preventable infectious disease. We salve our conscience by saying it's all the government's fault, or the banks' fault, or their own fault. If you came across an old lady who'd fallen in the road, you wouldn't say that it's all the fault of the system and pass on by, you would do what you could to help, if you're human. If we're going to wait until all is perfect in the world before we lift a finger, we're going to wait a long time.

If you can spare it, give a few quid.

Nope Vidal, I will give them my time and help and do, I like to see my money work not go to some greedy CEO at Oxfam etc....

What has Oxfam got to do with it?

Poverty nothing.....

The thread is about Sport Aid Karl, not Oxfam. Whether you like it or not, donating some money will help some people, and not doing so will not accelerate any great political change that will make charities unnecessary.

not donating helps my wallet

I did put etc Vidal, Oxfam was an example.....

You are missing the point of the thread Vidal. The original point was why give money just because people do pointless things. The second part was why should people listen to millionares telling people with less money to give some of it away. Why should anybody listen to them.

Why not save the health service by reducing GP's pay and pensions. A real drain on the economy for what are glorified drug pushers.

We are better than this.........give if you wish or if not no need to justify it. Still no excuse for crap TV though.

Early night, big day tomorrow.

I don't think so Spart. People DO give money because people do stupid things. A vast amount of money will be raised tonight and it won't be raised on other nights when people AREN'T doing pointless things. We focus on the motives and stupidity of those making the programmes but the beneficiaries of the money won't be bothered, so why should you?

Your last point is more complicated. I'm not a GP but if society places a high value on its health then it follows that to attract people into it you need to make it lucrative. At the moment there is something of a crisis in general practice because GPs can earn more and have a better, less bureaucratic life doing their job in countries like Australia. Ultimately it won't benefit patients to have good doctors going overseas.