Hobby charity events

[POD]

I was going to post this as a reply to another thread that shows a vintage car event that people are asked to donate money to for charity. Rather than unpleasantly hijack that thread, I'll offer a discussion here...
These kinds of events truly puzzle me; the cynical part of me (which is very large) says perhaps I can get a bunch of people to send me barramundi fishing in the Kimberley to raise awareness of middle-aged men who are too busy to go barramundi fishing in the Kimberley. I just don't get it. Is it that the people who get involved in this sort of thing would not want to do something that is difficult / unpleasant / not associated with their hobbies, for the benefit of others? Is giving people opportunities to do what they would want to do anyway, whilst making them feel that they are somehow being charitable, the only way that charities can enlist help? These comments will probably be taken as offensive, for which I apologise- I've never heard of this particular event and perhaps it is all sorts of worthy, but I genuinely don't understand the phenomenon of hobby charity, except in very cynical terms. I would love someone to explain it to me.

[austastar]

Hi,
I feel it is a bit like fishing.
Put a bit of meat on a hook, lower it into a likely spot and you may end up with a bigger piece of meat for very little effort.
For better results try many spots and if you can get others to use your supply of bait, you get a share of their catch.
Grow and adapt this technique for maximum returns.
Or am I also being cynical??
Cheers

[V8Ian]

I see the money ending up for a good cause, so any way that works. :thumbsup:
The people driving, fishing or picking their noses for charity don't reap any of the financial reward, that all goes to the charity.
The folk like the dapper gent in his old MG, donate their time and loan their chattels, at their own expense, to raise the funds.
At the end of the day, there's a gathering of interesting old cars (and odd geezers), that hopefully draws a crowd, who are also prepared to toss in a few scheckels.

[jerryd]

If you want to go fishing and raise money for a good cause then go and do it [bighmmm], I'm taking part in this event because I can and I want to. Apart from the fact that we'll be having a good day out with like minded people, we are also helping to raise monies for two good causes.

I've lost two good friends one to suicide and one to cancer, so if by any chance what we do helps in any way to save a life then I believe what we are doing is for a worthy cause. We also sponsor each other in our little group of drivers [smilebigeye]

I'll leave this here and you can tot up the monies raised so far.



Leaderboard - The Distinguished Gentleman's Drive (https://www.gentlemansdrive.com/leaderboards/countries)

[BradC]

I always see it as less about the money and more about "raising awareness". It's a bit like a mobile billboard in that it gets some people who would (fortunately) be quietly oblivious to at least ask "what's all that about" ?

Everyone has their pet causes. Mine happens to be Cancer. There are many types, sub-types and variants and they all affect different people in different ways. Being able to direct attention toward some of the more common types means more research can be directed toward those where they have the best chance of doing the greatest amount of good (better outcomes for more people I suppose). Some people direct their cause to the one that affected them, and that's ok too. You do what you have to do.

[350RRC]

I'm familiar with one event, run as a full blown business by a select few.

Makes a donation to a local charity which somehow allows all local bylaws to be forgotten for the weekend.

Town fills up with redneck hoons drinking in the streets, etc.

DL

[V8Ian]

Wouldn't happen in Queensland, and I hope you're not accusing Jerry of being a redneck, hoon! :bat:
I can vouch for him, he's not a redneck.

[jerryd]

Wouldn't happen in Queensland, and I hope you're not accusing Jerry of being a redneck, hoon! :bat:
I can vouch for him, he's not a redneck.

My neck will be red after tomorrow's drive Ian [thumbsupbig]

[Saitch]

Wouldn't happen in Queensland, and I hope you're not accusing Jerry of being a redneck, hoon! :bat:
I can vouch for him, he's not a redneck.

Never been to the Isa rodeo, hey Ian? [smilebigeye]

[V8Ian]

Never been to the Isa rodeo, hey Ian? [smilebigeye]
I always thought it was a good time not to be in the Isa:nazilock::coplight::imwithstupid:.

[POD]

Well I had an idea this thread was going to cause some offence, clearly I can tick that box. Oh well. Some interesting responses and I can see the point about raising awareness of certain issues, using things that will draw a crowd and widen the audience for that particular issue. A good point that I had not fully considered.

I think the thing that prompted me most to shake my head in bewilderment was some young person a few years back who was seeking sponsorship to climb Everest for charity. And then there's the dogooders who want money to take a bunch of 'troubled youths' hiking the Kokoda Track or something. Let me know when they're organising a trip for a bunch of kids who've worked hard and got good marks, leave the trainee criminals at home, and maybe I'll consider chipping in.

Maybe I'll start a 'rant-a-thon'. Anyone want to sponsor me?