A number of really important issues are raised in this post, with great clarity and objectivity. As an avid knitter, as well as a volunteer with three age-related charities, I wholeheartedly agree with Joy on all counts.
Innocent Smoothies run an annual campaign where they ask knitters to make little hats to go on top of smoothie bottles. In return they donate 25p for each hat to Age UK. In case anyone doesn’t know Innocent are owned by Coca Cola – a huge multinational company with profits in the billions each year.
Let me start by saying that I think businesses donating to charities is a fantastic thing. Age UK seems like a great charity.
So what’s my problem?
There are lots of things wrong with this model.
Innocent proudly says that since 2003 it’s raised over £2 million for Age UK. On average that’s just over £140,000 a year – for 560000 hats a year.
Let’s start with a little look at the value Innocent puts on the time of the knitters who make these little hats.
Innocent make a 25p donation for each hat. The…
View original post 542 more words
Thoughtful post – one that highlights the need to be more judicious in our choices.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely argued post. Thanks for re-blogging it, Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person