AIBU re MCR collection?

you only have to see that 10,000 people lied to try to get tickets for the concert to know that their are people out there who exploit any situation even tragic ones. So I too would be wary of giving money without knowing what it was for,

I absolutely hate having my bags packed at the supermarket!
I'd be very wary of giving money to anyone claiming to be collecting "for Manchester" other than an official charity, there are already plenty of fraudsters out there.
I agree with previous posters, some families will need financial help but some will wonder how money can help with their loss.
The idea of a park for children is great in principle, but the people involved came from all over the UK so it could not work in practice.
Surely better to give it to an existing charity that helps with rehab in case of life changing injuries, be it loss of limbs, of hearing or of sight. And victims' mental health is bound to suffer of course. You can specify that your donation is to be used for children I believe, though many victims and their families are obviously older.

I may be wring but in the case of young children 8 years and 16 etc as were some of the poor victims .Parents usually dont have there childs life insurance in place .I no we never when my 2"boys were young.Then the last thing they need to be worrying abt is the funerals.Si the money shd go to all the victims wonded and killed.And for counsilling .

Sadly many of the victims are badly injured and will need help for their long term care. Hopefully also funds will go to a lasting memoriam such as a park or even garden in the centre of Manchester. And perhaps some longer term community developments to support integration and prevent future attacks. Whatever is decided, the funds will need trustees who can provide appropriate careful long term management.

Oh it's like the McCann fund. I donated to help the cost of finding the little girl then it seemed like they were spending loads of it on suing some policeman for slandering them. While I understand their indignation that wasn't what the fund was meant for, I thought?

I watched the documentary about Aberfan a few months ago. One lady whose daughter died bought a caravan, something they would never have been able to afford. The weekend trips and holidays the family were able to take helped the family enjoy life a bit again.

I 100% agree with VONNIE1 sensible lady.

I too have been wondering where the money is going. As it is growing to such a high amount I hope the Red Cross will come up with a plan and let us know basically what is going to happen. I don't think at this time we need a blow by blow account of who's having what or at anytime really.

I would hate to think that the money would be supervised (if that's the word) and they have to ask for every penny. Or in 20, 30, 40 years time they are living in poverty.

It will probably be a nightmare for the trustees to sort everything out so that everyone gets a fair share.

My thoughts exactly!

Here in Central Scotland (probably elsewhere too?) I know that neither my Independent Celebrant DD nor the funeral directors she works for charge anything for their services at Child funerals.

I agree with CC that as the victims came from all over (e.g. one dead, one with life changing injuries from the Isle of Barra), most of the funds raised should go to a relevant National Charity with, perhaps a memorial park or garden in Manchester.

Sadly, when a tragedy like this occurs there is no shortage of opportunists and con artists.

You mentioned "bag packing"... and that you weren't sure how just sending money would help. Most charities won't collect more than one specific type of donation (it's either money or food or clothes etc,) never more than one type. Was she collecting money and other things as well? They should also have their credentials on display.

In any case, people who feel a strong empathy towards the victims are the ones most likely to volunteer because they don't want to feel so helpless. They are particularly motivated to talk about where donations are going and how they will be used.

Someone with such a vague, unqualified reply doesn't fit that profile, so don't be so hard on yourself. You were probably very smart not to give that 'nice' lady anything.

Sorry..You guys must think I'm already going soft, but it's just that I don't read carefully enough.....I initially thought she was bagging the donations (instead of groceries).

Funny... I know!

I'm with you Jane10 and others. Not enammoured by the forthcoming concert, its unnecessary in the scheme of things. Someone's making money out of it..not those affected or bereaved I bet.

I have to concur with the sentiments expressed here. As a proud Mancunian, i'm very grateful that so many people have opened their hearts to the City and the victims. However when giving money you should be wary of people collecting who cannot tell you which charity they're collecting for and produce proof of that.
Besides which the fund is now raised over £7 million and it may be time to look beyond Manchester and contribute to funds in other places where people are being affected by this murderous death cult.

I agree with Jane10 and similar sentiments expressed. £7 million is quite enough - who is going to manage such a fund too? I can see a lot of ill-feeling being generated when the time comes to apportion it out, and, dare I say, some unscrupulous people coming forward with spurious claims. I am always perplexed by how quickly huge sums of money to various causes are collected online and yet people are so ready to be cruel and intolerant both online and in public. And I don't think these two strands of society are necessarily separate.

I'm with Vonnie1 and Paddyann, in that I believe the money that I and others gave will help those affected- lord, some of you are a hard hearted and tight fisted lot!

If you wish to give to the fund raising contact the Manchester Evening News. Do remember that not only have 22 people died but there are people injured who will have to cope with the trauma of their injuries for years to come. I know people still coping with the effects of the IRA bomb from 21 years ago

I resent being called hard and tight fisted. I am happier giving to those also cruelly affected by these terrorist atrocities and who have far far less help and support than those affected in Manchester. I am also wary of the rapacious bandwagon jumpers who take advantage of such awful situations as this. Its hard to believe that people can stoop so low.

I think that if a terriost carries out a sicking act like that in Manchester. Then it should be the govement who pays out compensation to the victims and their families it is not for charities to start colllecting most of which would go on admin.
The family of terriost should also be deported as a matter of course to the country of their origin.

You're a miserable lot! I wouldn't give a penny to anyone in Kabul or any Asian country. But that isn't to say I don't feel sorry for them.
If I was in government, I wouldn't pay anything overseas for a year. Try and get our own finances in order.
We are still paying money to India who have asked us not to, said they don't want it, and we still do it.
I suspect that many of you don't live in the north, the money that has been donated will be a great help to the people involved in the tragedy in Manchester.
Walk a mile in anther mans shoes.

I agree with Jalima on this one. It also get's on my nerves when celebs jump on the band wagon.

Granny23 - I was interested to read about the funeral firms. I'm in the West Midlands and some years ago a Co-Op funeral director told me that they never charged for children's funeral. Someone else said that this was the case with most, if not all, firms. I was wondering whether this compassionate gesture is still the case.
Some very thoughtful posts on this thread. Personally I understand why people lay flowers but wouldn't do so myself. I'd write in a remembrance book, light a candle or contribute to the planting of a tree. The Red Cross and Medecins sans Frontieres are among the charities I would support without misgivings.

Claudiaclaws - the people in this tragedy also came from:

Oswestry
Preston
Bury
Halewood
Oldham
York
Sheffield
Blackpool
Goostrey
Leeds
South Shields
Otley
Gateshead
Barra

This is not solely Manchester's tragedy.

Jane10 giving to one group of people doesn't preclude giving to any others, just because people are giving for the Manchester atrocity they may also be donating to bona Fide organisations helping those abroad suffering from terrorism too.

I do not agree with Gardenman's statement about deporting family of terrorist to their country of origin. A family is not responsible for one member's acts