As managing director of a street fundraising organisation, I was appalled to read Soozie Campbell's negative letter (January 25) attacking street fundraisers in Brighton.
We regularly sign-up many people in Brighton who are only too pleased to give to charity through a medium which is not only cost-effective for non-profit organisations (NPOs) but remarkably successful.
The bottom line is, most people who dislike the medium take umbrage at the method.
Yes, Brighton's streets are busy places but do not penalise those who work with professionalism, candour and integrity in our increasingly self-absorbed society.
Fundraisers have every right to work on our streets as a force for good.
As for the money donated, every single penny goes to the charity.
If the charity then chooses to invest some of its income in future fundraising initiatives to ensure a continued stream of donations, it should be able to do so safe in the knowledge the public has a full and factual understanding of the methods used.
And a polite "no thanks" is all that is required when they appeal to you for help, not a wholly unnecessary signature on a petition.
-Owen Watkins, managing director, DialogueDirect Fundraising UK, Oxford
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