LETTERSFrom Sylvia Griffiths (chairman IW Association for Spinda-Bifida and Hydrocephalus ASBAH ), Shanklin:
I WAS dismayed to read Janet Alden’s letter saying she felt pressured into giving to charities while shopping (CP, 20-04-12).
I do hope not all shoppers feel the same way.
I am one of the small army of collectors who stand for hours with our charity box (you are not allowed to shake them) for the IWASBAH.
I was at Morrison’s, Lake, on April 21. We are a small charity and all money raised helps our members who have spina-bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
We provide help with travelling costs to mainland hospitals for treatment (not available on the Island), help with light-weight wheelchairs (not provided by the NHS) and various other essential equipment needed to make their lives easier.
Without the generosity of the public, we could not provide this help.
Many large stores now only help the bigger charities and smaller groups, such as us, have to get funds by other means.
With stores such as Waitrose, it is like a lottery as to whether you have the chosen amount of tokens to succeed.
Our members need the funds now, not as or when we get it.
Please do not stop giving to the smaller charities on the Island, you are under no obligation to put money in our boxes and if you do feel mean and uncharitable by walking past that is for your conscience only, we do not judge, we are just grateful for any amount.
For more information on our charity go to www.iwasbah.co.uk