How do you choose - there are so many good ones?

I only support local charities. Highland Hospice, local football, youth clubs etc.The big charities pay their "executives' far, far too much - all from your donations. As for sending money abroad - well, I've lived in these poor countries and 90% of the money ends up in someones back pocket. Our huge foreign aid budget should be better applied and more closely monitored to benefit the intended recipients.

We support five children who are resident in an orphanage in southern India. One of the girls we have had since she was 6 years old - she is now 18 and leaving school. None of them could have finished their education without support as although not all of them are orphans, the school has 2000 children to educate. This system is run by volunteers in Belgium who guarantee that all the money from the sponsors goes to the benefit of the child as it is run via the Catholic church. We receive touching letters and photos of the children each Christmas time. If anyone feels they would like to support a very poor child, please contact us privately so that we can put you in touch with the organisation, who are at present looking for more sponsors. Thank you in advance if you so decide. It makes a huge difference to their lives - especially amongst the girls.

I prefer not to donate.as i put left over money in collecting boxes.and i work voluntary for salvation army.so am doing my bit as im donating my time and energy to them.i find this more worthwhile.

I give to charities close to my heart and make sure that it does go directly to the charity.

Choosing a charity to support is a very subjective decision and there are many people who cannot afford to give financial help who give their time and skills instead, which in my opinion is often of equal, if not greater, value.

Apart from Water Aid I don't support any of the big charities, simply because it has been my experience that smaller charities 'punch above their weight' with their much more limited resources. I sponsor the education of three Nicaraguan children who were scavenging off rubbish dumps because they couldn't afford schooling. The money is paid directly to the school through a local charity who sends a volunteer to hand over the money and visit each of the children once a year. I have a DD for a small charity called 'Care for the Family' that aims to strengthen and support family life and whose single parent/bereavement support programmes are incredibly good; I twin a toilet at least once a year and I lend to budding entrepreneurs in Africa through DEKI microloans. I am also giving financial support to a member of my extended family who is in work, but currently struggling to make ends meet. The saying that 'charity begins at home' is close to my heart.

In practical terms both the The Wonderful Man and I do extensive voluntary work; he has just returned from helping to build a school in Africa where he also ran Farming and Forestry Workshops. He paid not only his own expenses, gave his time and expertise, but also part-funded some of the building materials. He will go again in two years time to help with the next phase of the project which is in a very poor part of Western Kenya. I work almost full time hours on a Homelessness Project (to which I also contribute financially) and in my 'spare' time I do Chaplaincy work. We also host several annual holidays in our home for clients of Freedom from Torture.

I've just read back what I've written and it makes me sound like St Activist; I'm far from it. I have been on the receiving end of others' charity and I'm simply giving back. I love the work I do and having an open house and it isn't any hardship at all.

I buy colourful wool and knit cannula sleeves for 'Handmade for Dementia'. People with dementia tend to pull out their cannulas causing distress to themselves and staff when they have to have a new cannula fitted. The feedback from the hospitals is excellent and we have saved the NHS money by reducing the waste of cannulas. There are strict safety rules but if anyone wants to know more about it, feel free to PM me.

There was a recent item on Granada Reports about the group and last week we won an award from The Alzheimers Society.

If I had to choose one it would be The Salvation Army because my lovely Dad was a member when he was a young boy and used to tell me what good work they did. It always brings tears to my eyes when they play carols at Christmas because it reminds me of him.

We support Action Aid, and also our local hospice - I have reason to know how excellent and valuable their service is. I also send annually to the organisation (whose name currently escapes me!) that provide a meal to the homeless at Christmas.

I turn down all other requests - very hard sometimes, but there has to be a limit. I always simply say that we have our chosen charities when solicited for donations.

We had five charity letters last week which we couldn’t possibly give to all of them. So h and I picked one each
He had crisis and I had Alzheimer’s both asked for between 20 and 30 pounds, we both sent a cheque for £10.00

Never heard of Mary's Meals. I will look them up.

I give a monthly donation to Mary's Meals as well. Very worthwhile. Guarantees a daily meal for children whilst at school. Their parents are happy to spare them as they get fed and educated at the same time. A really great charity - the only 'none local' one I support.

I let my heart guide my charitable giving. Also, i research each charity before setting up regular payments to ensure only appropriate deductions are taken from donations , with most of the money going where it is needed rather than to line pockets of overpaid executives or wasted on administration.

DH & I support NSPCC, Oxfam, local Hospice, & Foodbank - all monthly. Always give to any (reputable) "street collection". We donate all our "unwanted" items to charity shops and/or the local homeless centre. At Christmas we donate to a couple of charities. I feel very fortunate to live in a country where we have the NHS, to have a roof over our heads, and to be able to pay our bills. (My dear MiL used to say: "if you can, spread your money around, & share it with others".)

I read a book called 'Doing Good Better: Effective Altruism' about how to pick charities. I dont know that I would recommend the book, because most of its examples were American and there was a long section about being employed by charities, which is not relevant if you are retired, but it did make me put a bit of effort into trying to find out which charities use your money most effectively. I also used Charity Navigator, a web site which systematically evaluates the effectiveness of charities, unfortunately again its US based, but it does help. I ended up donating regularly by DD to Camfed who support girls in Africa to stay in education. In some countries its common for girls to leave school and become mothers by the age of 13, effectively trapping them into endless childbirth and poverty for the rest of their lives. The charity is very well run with a large proportion of donations going directly to the cause. They also work to embed change by getting the girls who have been educated to mentor the new ones coming into the programme and they educate communities to identify the girls most at risk to support. camfed.org/

I have for several years now made a monthly donation to MacMillian nurse's and World wildlife fund.I dont even notice it going out of my account.I also like donate to British leigion and our local hospice. There are so many good causes out there but i feel drawn to those that are close to my heart.Mind you i was thinking of our local homeless shelter for some reason this year.

Being on a very low income I have to say no to many requests for funding. The charities I do support are either local to me, ones I volunteer with or those where I personally know someone in the organisation. That way I feel that I can be reasonably confident that my donations are used wisely.

Have monthly small direct debits to Great Ormond Street hospital who we know from personal experience do so much for sick children and need donations to help with their pioneering work. Also, the PDSA, without which many folk would not be able to own a pet. Hundreds to choose from this time of year but at Christmas time we always give to the Salvation Army.

I donate to charities through the year , but I change around and donate to minor charities. At Christmas I pick another 3 charities to give to. A different 3 every year.

I have given by monthly dd to SSPCA for some years and give a little at Christmas to a couple of other charities. Also organised a raffle, charity walk and coffee morning for BHF this year (raising about £1000) as dgs was diagnosed with a major heart condition. I would like to give more but had to retire early with a medical condition and can’t really afford what I do give. Have said to my family to donate, what they would have spent on me at Christmas, to an animal charity.

I give to Crisis at Christmas and a small monthly donation to a cancer charity and the Salvation Army. Not sure if I will still be able to do this when I retire though

I support the RNLI, they do a wonderful job in treacherous weather, volunteers who save lives at sea.

All the causes I've read about here are worthy in their own right and I salute each and every one of you who give, according to your time, finances and beliefs. It's humbling to think that so many, often themselves in fairly straitened circumstances, will find ways of alleviating the discomfort of others. You are all really remarkable. Often still working, homemaking, GC minding, helping your own families financially, trying to keep everyone connected and happy, yet often suffering your own traumas, illness and other issues which you face with stoicism and smiles.
I really do admire you all, wherever you are. Three cheers for GN. ????

Good post Gabriella Sums it up very well.

I feel shattered if watching day-time tv to be inundated with requests for cash from all these worthwhile charities...it’s overkill I’m afraid,cos now I have to turn the sound down or walk away.They are trying to ‘guilt’ us into donating...and I suspect it works.!! It’s like the adverts to arrange or purchase your own tuneral.... bloody hell.... it’s not that far away... do we need reminding constantly. I feel this stuff on constantly defeats the object...I have to ‘tune-out’

..... funeral