When raising money for charity in something like the London Marathon, what is the purpose of the actual running bit? Why not get sponsored to do something which directly helps the charity, like taking the elderly out for an outing, or repainting a Cancer-research building? To expend all that effort on running instead, seems futile.
No kudos. No pals saying 'You did well.' 'I looked for you on the telly.' No tele.
It's also something which seems like a big, unique feat, and so people are more likely to give you money for it, I think. It is a bit sad that there are so many things which everyone could do, but don't, though.
Quote: Nogget @ April 25 2010, 7:59 PM BSTWhen raising money for charity in something like the London Marathon, what is the purpose of the actual running bit?
Because it raises the profile of the charity. And awareness of what they're doing.
Quote: Nogget @ April 25 2010, 7:59 PM BSTrepainting a Cancer-research building?
Yes, that'd help the search for a cure for cancer. Some idiot bulmbling about the labratory with a paintbrush.
Quote: Oldrocker @ April 25 2010, 8:03 PM BSTNo kudos. No pals saying 'You did well.' 'I looked for you on the telly.' No tele.
Even if you are going to take th massively cynical and jaded position that people who run for charity are only doing it to inflate their own egos, so what? They're raising money. But most aren't doing it for that reason. And if you take the time to listen to some of the people running for charity, many often have deeply personal and heartfelt reasons for doing so.
Quote: Nogget @ April 25 2010, 7:59 PM BSTWhen raising money for charity in something like the London Marathon, what is the purpose of the actual running bit? Why not get sponsored to do something which directly helps the charity, like taking the elderly out for an outing, or repainting a Cancer-research building? To expend all that effort on running instead, seems futile.
Charities need all kinds of support, public or private, monetary, practically and emotionally. Many people volunteer and work to support charities in ways that you are suggesting, sometimes undertaking extensive training and enduring rigorous checks before they are allowed to do so. They go largely unnoticed and therefore are not in the public eye, sponsored or raising funds.
In the case of the marathon, reasons for running it may be as different as the runners themselves. For some it is the public recognition and raising of awareness, for others the possibility that being on telly, or involved in something that is well known, may raise more funds. Others do it for very personal reasons, such as gaining a sense of achievement and fulfilment by publicly showing their support of a particular condition, which they or a member of their family or friends may suffer, or even have died from. It can be a very cathartic experience.
Anyone who does something that benefits a charity, however they do it, is a very special person in my eyes.