hope; Faith; charity

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Nov 28, 1999 | by Gordon Legge

We're dealing with big business here. In 1997 volunteer charity workers raised #29.5 billion. Some feel uncomfortable with this, and with such approaches as direct mail, which can sometimes be an unwelcome and emotional obligation. Such figures as #29.5 billion seem far removed from the original idea of Christian charity, where, for the donor, there was either an association (a relative, say) or an affinity (say, something seen off TV), and you had some understanding of what happened with your money. Nowadays, with such vast figures involved, you can't help but wonder where your money actually goes and if anybody's getting rich out of this. Of course, people probably are; well, at least making a living. But, from what I can gather, at worst, running costs never amount to more than 13p or 14p in the pound.

The biggest increase in charity revenue over the past few years has come from charity shops. Again using 1997 figures, income from charity shops rose by 21 per cent on the previous year. This coincided with Oxfam adopting the hard sell, taking on board Leo Burnett, the fourth largest advertising agency in the world.

Nowadays, it's not unusual to find yourself going through a designer rack or a retro rail. Window adverts entice you with their spring collection. The language has been appropriated. Charity shops have moved from the poky backstreet rooms of old to the bright and airy, pedestrianised high streets. Channel Street is Galashiels' main shopping thoroughfare, and this is where you find Oxfam, Cancer Research, Help the Aged et al. To generations growing up, these shopfronts, with their distinctive logos, will be as familiar as Marks and Spencers.

I suppose you can think too much about this, about the meaning of charity (hence the aborted screenplay), and I'd be the first to say that where there is need, the government should be loosening the purse strings. The bottom line is - really, there should be no need for any of this. In the meantime, I'll continue to shop. I'll get my Christmas cards, my wrapping paper, my diary and all that, and I'll treat myself to the odd exotica, while picking up my share of curios and bargains.

I did alright in Galashiels: a few decent tapes and CDs; a couple of books; and a couple of bits of clothing I'm genuinely chuffed with. To prove a point, I got presents for a few folk. I'm pleased to report the recipients were quite delighted. In all, I'd a great time. Hopefully, somebody benefits from my well-spent tenner.

I didn't get what I was after. Believe it or not, I was looking for a cagoule. That was all. See them in every charity shop, too. But not, alas, in Galashiels.

Strange one that charityshopping Katrina Dixon names the second- hand stores that you should make your first choice Oxfam, 691 Gt Western Road, Glasgow, 0141 334 6909 A great selection of good- quality, reasonably-priced clothes, books and household accessories with none of the obsessive colour-coding or fastidious clinicalness that has taken the fun out many of the big-name chains. Tops from #3, duffle coats #10, name brands often relatively inexpensive.