Comic Relief? Not really.

Advert on home page of Comic Relief website

First of all let me say that firstly, I am in no way a 'bah humbug' type and absolutely believe it is good and right to financially support worthwhile causes. But why is it that so many people are only willing to give money to causes they care little about until they've seen some Z-list 'celebrity' making a fool of themselves? Yes, it can be funny, but that's not what it is about! Comedians are paid to be funny!

Today twitter has seen the launch of #twitrelief, whereby 'stars' are selling twitter follows on eBay in a effort to raise money for Comic Relief. The highest bidding fans will be 'followed' for 90 days by their chosen star on twitter with some also offering a gift (like there should be that kind of incentive to giving???) As well as following the winners' twitter feed for 90 days, the celebs will also mention winning bidders' names in one tweet, and retweet one of their comments. Sorry, but this kind of outlet for a celebrity love-in makes me feel uneasy. I'm sure intentions are good but it's misguided. I realise there are many celebs who want to try and make a difference, and I can see the good it does in raising awareness. But why do people need such an incentive to give?

The first year of Comic Relief was interesting, something different. It was set up in 1985, started by comedians who wanted to use comedy and laughter to let people know about poverty in the UK and in Africa. Job well done. But, several years' later, am I alone in being completely jaded by the whole thing? Maybe it's just the kind of celebrities who are associated with it...and the air of 'look at the wonderful thing I'm doing' that surrounds the involvement of some. I don't doubt it's a good cause but it's the same tired old format every year: take one z-list celebrity, fly them to visit a poor developing community, film their appalled reaction to the conditions including crying for the cameras, show them build up some sort of relationship with the locals and then fly them back to their middle class existence back home. Do I sound cynical? I am.

There are plenty of deserving charities out there and very few of them can afford the kind of airtime that Comic Relief gets. Why not choose a different charity each year?

I also don't like being told what I should support, any more than I like people on the street thrusting their collecting tins in my face. Raising awareness is one thing, having that awareness shoved down my throat is another entirely. Personally I find it very off-putting and it leaves me resentful towards the whole business. On Comic Relief night I make sure I'm either out or have a good DVD lined up. I'm not avoiding it because I don't value the support the charity gets, I avoid it because I'm sick of what it stands for in our celebrity-obsessed culture.

With all this celebrity self-indulgence it is very easy to get forget the actual good being done by the charity work that Comic Relief raises. It is also very easy to forget that there are other charities, closer to home, that really need support.

I think we also need to see much better feedback about where all the money goes. Are the presenters/celebs being paid or waiving their fees for the cause? Do they travel to visit these third world countries in economy class or first class? Do they get expenses? Do they stay in five star hotels or with a local family? How much money actually goes straight into the hands of the people or organisations that need it? Television and radio companies (BBC radio is the worst) charge £1 to send a text, with 70p going to Comic Relief. Where is the other 30p going? I'm pretty good at basic arithmetic (taps away on the calculator) and I reckon that 30% must add up to a substantial amount. Why are we implored to give generously when there are companies out there using these events to make a hefty profit? Surely they can do it at a reduced rate for Comic Relief? Why can't a larger portion or even better *all* of the money go to the people who really need it?

I don't feel I need to give money to Comic Relief. Not because they don't deserve it but because they have so much support already that I feel I need to give to less well-known charities. I don't need a celebrity to tell me that poverty is rife or where I should put my money. That really is a joke. I give towards causes that my heart is drawn to - and I see nothing wrong with that. Nor do I feel the need to tell the whole world about it.

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:1-2)