Editorial: Choosing charity not easy task

Anyone using the iWay pathway between Hastings and Clive in the past couple of weeks would have seen all the pictures of St John's College student Bradley Woon, tied with yellow ribbon to branches, sticks, gates, and fences.

Bradley has had surgery to remove a brain tumour and, as part of a Commit to a Cause leadership programme at the college, students ran the path, pushing Bradley in his wheelchair to raise funds for a charity of his choice. He chose Ronald McDonald House.

The words "commit to a cause" got me thinking about charities and donations. There are so many worthy causes out there, how do you choose who to support?

For some it's obvious. If a family member or friend has battled cancer, has arthritis, is blind or deaf, they know who they will support. Animal lovers choose the SPCA.

At one time, many charities such as the Salvation Army and Red Cross would drop envelopes in mailboxes, then collectors would knock at your door. I remember charging around the house, trying to find change to pop in the envelope.

However, a spokesperson at Salvation Army headquarters in Wellington told me they haven't door-knocked for about 10 years.

"With the advent of eftpos, people just didn't have cash."

Now there are people with little buckets on the street. Hats off to them, too.

I imagine it's not that much fun watching people walk toward them and see their eyes slide away as they put their head down and scurry on. I know, I have done it myself. I give to some but it's impossible to support all.

I would love to hear how you choose a charity to support. Email me at linda.hall@hbtoday.co.nz.