Giving to charity?

I meant to write this last week, and I had thought about writing about The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of G.B. whom it would appear are facing a shortage of funds in the upcoming fiscal year. The orchestra nurtures and encourages young talented musicians and I understand that Amy Winehouse was one of those who have benefitted from their philanthropy. According to Chairman, Nigel Tully, the orchestra requires £105,000 by April for it to continue. The orchestra costs £200,000 a year to run, which to my mind, does not seem to be a lot of money for such a jewel in the crown of British musical talent. They get £60,000 from Arts Council England and the Musicians Benevolent Fund. My plea was going to be, please make a donation and keep this worthwhile organisation solvent and allow it to continue in the sterling role that it has been carrying out for 47 years.

But then one of the worst naturals disasters that has ever occurred in the world, hit one of the poorest countries in the Americas. That being the earthquake that hit Haiti. A large area of the country has been effected with several million people left without any water, food or shelter. Aid assistance to the country is being hampered by geographical difficulties and apparently the U.S. Army who have taken control of the airport and seemingly are concentrating on getting their military personnel on the ground before assisting charities. The international charity, Médecins Sans Frontière have complained that one of their aircraft carrying an inflatable field hospital was refused permission to land at the airport that services the country. Yet, Jets carrying VIPs such as US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, have been able to land. What do these idiots think they can do? Hot air is of no use to these unfortunate people caught up in the earthquake zone. It does irritate me that some people appear to make political gain out of their selfish acts.

From some osmotic type of process I hold the knowledge that a mere £50 will pay a food pack for a family of four, that will feed them for two weeks. £50? Let's face it, there are a lot of people who live in the U.K. and other western countries, who would spend £50 on a night out and not even think twice about it.

Now I'm not going to ask you Dear Reader to make any donation. That will be entirely up to you. But if you would care to help out your fellow man, then perhaps a donation via The Disasters Emergency Committee might just be what you are looking for? Or of you would prefer to make a donation via the telling bone, this be the number to call. 0370 60 60 900. (UK only).

May your God go with you.