Some local residents are becoming increasingly frustrated by the number of people that are approaching them on Grove Street asking for donations or subscriptions to a particular charity.
Face-to-face fundraising has in recent years become a major source of income for many charities because they usually get a very profitable return on their investment and consider it an effective way to reach people and share important information.
However, some find the street fundraisers - who regularly work in teams on Grove Street and approach passers by - annoying and quite invasive.
Wilmslow resident Lindsey Farmer said "It is starting to become off putting walking through Wilmslow town centre constantly being asked two or three times by each charity worker and being quite invasive. I always support charities but constantly being mithered is annoying people."
Lindsey, who also works in the town, added "People have to earn a living and I respect that but to be asked four times within minutes of eachother is ridiculous. I have watched people go the long way round to avoid them. As I say they're just doing a job but it's becoming annoying."
Prolific fundraiser Khumi Burton, who raised just under £20,000 for the Combat Stress Appeal and is the County Poppy Appeal Coordinator for Cheshire East, said the charity collectors only bother her occasionally.
She said "When they follow you up Grove Street to sign up in spite of you giving them something. That to me is intimidation. The ones I think should be curtailed are those who approach you and ask you to text their charity if you have a mobile. Some people do it but then the downside is, once you text .. you get follow up texts from the organisation and asked for more."
Khumi added "It is a very hard and sometimes unrewarding - standing in the cold, rain, sunshine and everyone trying to avoid you. What people don't realise is those standing with the charity tins are local volunteers and they follow the rules by not rattling their tins and standing at static points. They are the ones one should be more inclined to donate. I have done my fair share of street collection over the years."
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: "Face-to-face charity collectors, or 'chuggers,' do not need permission to collect on the street under The Charities Act 1992.
"However, we do try to encourage them to inform relevant Cheshire East officers so that no more than one is present in the same town centre at the same time.
"We appreciate that some members of the public do find the presence of 'chuggers' unwelcome and their manner of approach intrusive. However, the Council does not have any powers to control their activities."
Cllr Rod Menlove added "Charitable donating is part of the British way of life and long may that continue. It does seem an anomaly however that there are no statutory powers for councils to control this type of intrusive behaviour in town centres by 'chuggers'. They return to Grove Street because the residents of Wilmslow are generous. The answer then may be to continue to donate but not via a 'chugger' and then they will not return."
Do the charity collectors on Grove Street bother you or are you happy to be approached by face-to-face fundraisers? Share your views via the comment box below.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
So from an individual's perspective, its more efficient to donate direct. From the charities point of view its better to have a percentage of something than 100 per cent of nothing. Most people who donate via chuggers are willing victims and perhaps would not donate of their own accord.
Chuggers are not going away, so its best we learn to live with them. Its not much different than being engaged by a perfume salesperson in a department store. Its just a bit more emotive because there is a charity involved and perhaps it hits a nerve with some of us.
Remember you don't need to justify your position. If you don't want to participate its OK, no need to be drawn into a debate and the chuggers may home in on you which is disconcerting, but they are always polite in my experience.
Street collections of the traditional kind are strictly controlled: organisers must apply to the local council for permission to collect on agreed times and days; they must not approach passers-by nor invite donations by shaking their tins. By contrast, teams of chuggers can descend on streets with impunity and harangue their intended victims to sign up for direct debits. Not cash, as that would be illegal! It is this loophole that enables chugger to continue bothering us.
According to a recent report, help may be at hand: following a rule change which come into force in 2012, chuggers cannot follow a person for more than three steps, or stand within three metres of a shop doorway, cash machine, or pedestrian crossing. Also, Birmingham City Council has brought in a by-law to permit only passive collecting and to ban collectors from approaching, following or obstructing pedestrians. Breaches will result in a fine of up to £500.
Our own local councils, both Town and County, wring their hands and claim that nothing can be done. But if Birmingham can do it, why not Wilmslow?
"Birmingham City Council has brought in a by-law to permit only passive collecting and to ban collectors from approaching, following or obstructing pedestrians. Breaches will result in a fine of up to £500.
Our own local councils, both Town and County, wring their hands and claim that nothing can be done. But if Birmingham can do it, why not Wilmslow?"
Like others, I don't begin to get involved, just saying "no thanks". But really, one shouldn't be hassled like this and it must be putting of town centre shoppers, something the town can ill afford. Over to you, Cheshire East!
As for Wilmslow, of course they're off putting, especially when they run after people and call them STINGY. As for me, I merely act like they are invisible, even as they address me directly, however I do concede that you need to stay strong not to engage when someone is running to you and then refusing to let you pass and/or continues to follow you up the street. Nuisance the whole lot of them and bad for their causes too.
The succession of different charities taking turns to block cover all foot traffic on Grove Street, is a very professional and well organised operation. Each street charity fundraiser, is well trained to ensure they stay within the law as it currently stands. They will also admit, when challenged, just what percentage of any money they get from you will go to their employer and subsequently their pockets.
Don't be surprised if they catch your eye, making a dance step towards you or a theatrical gesture, they are trained to do this, as well as being super polite when refused. However their companies, and that is exactly what they are, highly profitable companies, are targeting all of us, because there is currently no law in place to restrict their activities.
It is nice that the Cheshire East spokesperson encourages each charity company to only have one fundraiser collecting in the town at a time, I can inform them however, that this encouragement is ALWAYS ignored, they are pack hunters and that is also part of their strategy. Until we have a by-law in place ourselves, Wilmslow residents will continue to be 'Chugged' on Grove Street.
Level 1 Chuggers may make a difference; Their job is not easy... have enormous sympathy for them so every so often it might be worth while not just ignoring them, but maybe make eye contact as you walk by !
Level 2 Just ask them; How much money they have raised for charity ? and how much of that has been lost in administration costs... (I.e. collection)?
Level 3 Give me some case studies where your charity has made a difference ? What is the salary of your Charity executives ?
Level 5 Will you provide me with your personal Bank details for a Direct debit to help a worthy local charity of my choice ? ; The Christie Hospital ? St Anne’s Hospice......Etc Etc....
Bottom line..... If we individually wish to donate to charity (as a lot of us do).. then we will do it.... It is the British way. In times of trouble and despair we help others less fortunate than ourselves......... but to all ‘chuggers’ out there ... please respect our Freedom of choice ..... We don’t need to be hectored. There are lots of great worthy causes and they deserve contributions but this is not the way to do it.
However, I do find it less annoying than the tactic of charities that phone you at home of an evening. I've found that the best response to these is to say "Please give me your home phone number and I'll call you back when you are having your tea / watching the football / cutting the lawn".
Never fails to bring the conversation to an abrupt end
Only once (actually a few weeks ago) have I ever really got cross with any of them.
I made eye contact with some guy, as he approached and I quite clearly said no but he then decided to try and step in my way to stop me, which caused me to lose my temper and get a little aggressive.