Am I alone in finding it poor taste to pretend you’re homeless for a night and make light of sleeping rough having brought creature comforts with you to make it easier?

It’s great they’re raising money for the charities involved but I don’t think it’s a respectful way to do it.

deanothedino wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 10:30 am

Am I alone in finding it poor taste to pretend you’re homeless for a night and make light of sleeping rough having brought creature comforts with you to make it easier?

It’s great they’re raising money for the charities involved but I don’t think it’s a respectful way to do it.

Know what you mean but a little like the way folk love to brag about any charity work they’ve done or a good deed, if it raises money for those that need it, is there really any harm done?

But yeah, I often get wound up about it as well and I’m not sure why

I thought it was to show the people sleeping out, just how bad it can be for homeless people.

I don't think many go back for a 2nd night sleep out.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 12:13 pm

I thought it was to show the people sleeping out, just how bad it can be for homeless people.

I don't think many go back for a 2nd night sleep out.

Sleeping in the Turf after a hot meal and a hot drink is just camping without the tent before going back to their houses. It's not "bad", it doesn't come close to being homeless.

Better to raise money for good causes than gripe on a messageboard about respect, overall

I get what the OP is saying and I would agree with him if he/she or I were sleeping out. As I'm not, I take my hat off to anyone who is raising any extra funds for the charity in whatever way they choose.

To me the gesture far outweighs any suggestion that it should be done under specific conditions.

No problem with it.

But I do have a problem with stuff like 'charity' parachute jumps etc. If the person pays out of their own pocket, then fair enough. It's the ones, and these seem to be the vast majority, where a large chunk of the money raised goes towards paying for the jump. It's like going on a charity pub crawl-hike, and expecting the people who sponsored you to pay for your beer.

deanothedino wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 10:30 am

Am I alone in finding it poor taste to pretend you’re homeless for a night and make light of sleeping rough having brought creature comforts with you to make it easier?

It’s great they’re raising money for the charities involved but I don’t think it’s a respectful way to do it.

No you are not alone. A night of camping is nothing like not having a home to go to. It doesn’t show solidarity at all.

Its about raising money for a charity isnt it?

Nothing to do with solidarity, sleeping out for one night raises some similarities and gives the charity an easy in with local media.

Would you be more comfortable if they sat in a bath full of beans?

I'm surprised you're not alone it appears.

It's not poor taste or disrespectful.

steve1264b wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 1:16 pm

Its about raising money for a charity isnt it?

Nothing to do with solidarity, sleeping out for one night raises some similarities and gives the charity an easy in with local media.

Would you be more comfortable if they sat in a bath full of beans?

More meaningful and challenging ways to raise money in my opinion. Of course it has something to do with solidarity or why bother doing this and not something else. Nothing against raising money for charity. Just sponsored someone today doing something very challenging for a worthwhile cause. Do fund raising myself too. Just my opinion of course without any silly comments in return.

It raises the profile for homeless charities at a time when the need for charitable assistance has, sadly, reached almost unheard levels. Of course, the participants in the event aren't going to be living as if they were totally homeless and without support (PS: most homeless people would have access to lots of support, but the conditions for that support are unacceptable to many of them, e.g. no alcohol or drugs) so they aren't going to feel exactly what it is like to be homeless, I suspect there would be very few of us who would want to try it, but what they are doing is helping create an event that will garner media attention. I support cancer charities but wouldn't want to experience cancer to make it 'more relevant'!

Fair play to all those who do the sleep out.

I doubt the homeless will be up in arms by being patronised in the way people are trying to help.

Fair play to those who are behind this.

You can always rely on this message board to put a negative spin on something that’s aiming to do good!

Boss Hogg wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 3:31 pm

More meaningful and challenging ways to raise money in my opinion. Of course it has something to do with solidarity or why bother doing this and not something else. Nothing against raising money for charity. Just sponsored someone today doing something very challenging for a worthwhile cause. Do fund raising myself too. Just my opinion of course without any silly comments in return.

Yes of course there are more challenging ways. But so what - it's a good cause and fair play to those involved. Can't fathom why anyone would put negative spin on it.

deanothedino wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 10:30 am

Am I alone in finding it poor taste to pretend you’re homeless for a night and make light of sleeping rough having brought creature comforts with you to make it easier?

It’s great they’re raising money for the charities involved but I don’t think it’s a respectful way to do it.

Wow.... Is there nothing better in the world to moan about today?
What about non alcoholics raising money by staying dry for a month for charity
Thin people doing a sponsored diet
Non bald people having their heads shaved to raise money for cancer charities when cancer free......

Nori1958 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 4:23 pm

Wow.... Is there nothing better in the world to moan about today?
What about non alcoholics raising money by staying dry for a month for charity
Thin people doing a sponsored diet
Non bald people having their heads shaved to raise money for cancer charities when cancer free......

Agree!

Nori1958 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 4:23 pm

Wow.... Is there nothing better in the world to moan about today?
What about non alcoholics raising money by staying dry for a month for charity
Thin people doing a sponsored diet
Non bald people having their heads shaved to raise money for cancer charities when cancer free......

Did it a few years ago, was a great experience for some good local causes.

I think that all moaning on this message board should be limited to Mondays and all the moaners instead of moaning about individual posts should just put their comments in a post called “Moaning Monday “ it would save me keep turning to my wife and saying as Victor Meldrew would say
“I don’t believe it someone’s moaning about whatever “

daveisaclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 12:23 pm

Better to raise money for good causes than gripe on a messageboard about respect, overall

I’m not a big enough narcissist to feel the need to post about what money I have or haven’t raised. Just expressing my opinion that I think it’s in poor taste. I’m actually a bit surprised how many don’t see my viewpoint.

Nori1958 wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 4:23 pm

Wow.... Is there nothing better in the world to moan about today?
What about non alcoholics raising money by staying dry for a month for charity
Thin people doing a sponsored diet
Non bald people having their heads shaved to raise money for cancer charities when cancer free......

Sponsored diets? Is that a thing?

taio wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 1:18 pm

I'm surprised you're not alone it appears.

It's not poor taste or disrespectful.

I’m surprised you can’t see where I’m coming from tbh. Seeing videos from it (and not just this year) of people laughing about their sleeping arrangements. Comparing themselves to turkeys wrapped for the oven in foil blankets. Doesn’t sit well with me.

Don't think anyone is pretending to be homeless for the night, more just a case of being prepared to give up their bed and home comforts for the night to put the spotlight onto the subject of homelessness and raise a few quid at the same time. Nothing wrong with how they do it either. We 'cheat' homelessness every night don't we? Doesn't mean that we can't wish that those who suffer couldn't be helped. If there's a will, there should be a way.

I’ve done this twice now … not at TM but at LCCC which is closer to where I live. I’ve raised just under £3,000 for the homeless charities in Manchester- I think 6 charities split the money.
Deano the Dino - maybe raise £3k yourself then start to criticise.

Flixtonclaret1 wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:36 am

I’ve done this twice now … not at TM but at LCCC which is closer to where I live. I’ve raised just under £3,000 for the homeless charities in Manchester- I think 6 charities split the money.
Deano the Dino - maybe raise £3k yourself then start to criticise.

Well done,

Flixtonclaret1 wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:36 am

I’ve done this twice now … not at TM but at LCCC which is closer to where I live. I’ve raised just under £3,000 for the homeless charities in Manchester- I think 6 charities split the money.
Deano the Dino - maybe raise £3k yourself then start to criticise.

As I said above I’m not enough of a narcissist to be posting what I raise/give for/to charity each year, but it’s comfortably more than £3k. Bragging about it on a message board doesn’t make a difference. Thanks for your concern though.

Funny how easy it is to overcome your strong anti-narcissism to let us about your charity work.

Everyone can see your point, it's just very silly.

Darnhill Claret wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 11:43 pm

Don't think anyone is pretending to be homeless for the night, more just a case of being prepared to give up their bed and home comforts for the night to put the spotlight onto the subject of homelessness and raise a few quid at the same time. Nothing wrong with how they do it either. We 'cheat' homelessness every night don't we? Doesn't mean that we can't wish that those who suffer couldn't be helped. If there's a will, there should be a way.

Not sure what you mean by we ‘cheat’ homelessness to be honest.

I think raising the money is great, just making light of sleeping outside while having a hot meal and a hot drink provided and bringing able to bring quality camping guy is a bit hollow.

daveisaclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:22 pm

Funny how easy it is to overcome your strong anti-narcissism to let us about your charity work.

Everyone can see your point, it's just very silly.

Not really, because I’ve still not said how much. Just responding to some willy waving that my opinion isn’t valid because I haven’t raised £3k.

I respect that being your opinion Dave.

deanothedino wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 14, 2023 9:56 pm

Sponsored diets? Is that a thing?

Yep