While I agree, it just seems like the whole draw and picking numbers thing was pointless. Might as well have just said "If you pay £___ you can choose Argentina, Brazil, Spain or Germany"
I see your point tigerscanada but surely Mrs BMBs suggestion that the prize be the choice of charities to give the pot to is the way to go,imho.If all three decide to give to Dove House then great,but in the unlikely event I ended up one of the winners then Dove House,worthy cause though it is,would not be my first choice as a friend of mine is about to attempt a serious challenge for charity and I would take the opportunity to increase the amount she is hoping to raise. *gratuitous plug time* While we're talking charity and as I probably won't win,hope you don't mind if I plug http://stkildaswim.co.uk/ Weather permitting,in about 20 days time my friend and 8 other swimmers are swimming relay style from Horgabost, Isle of Harris to St.Kilda. A Swim that has never been attempted before. This will be about 60 miles through the North Atlantic Ocean, which as we know, will not be easy. The swimmmers will be supported by 3 kayakers and a cabin cruiser. The Team are swimming to raise money for The Leanne Fund, The Fishermen's Mission and Yorkhill Children's Charity.
There is no problem with that at all...totally understandable. The point was not to solicit money from participants, although some have generously offered extra over and above Mrs B_M_B's original spontaneous sponsorship. The general idea was, and seems to be supported by many participants in the sweepstakes, that everyone had an equal chance to be allocated the eventual winning team, but as the original sponsorship came after the draw, to give everyone a sense of winning (especially those who had drawn the short straws & had no chance of winning), then lets all agree to donate the "pot" to a good cause. Everyone's participation in the sweepstakes thus should generate a feel-good factor & benefits less fortunate individuals/families etc. Everyone would give if they could...in this situation everyone actually does by endorsing giving the pot to charity. Your participation in the sweepstakes is contribution enough. Everyone participating in the sweepstakes are in fact contributing to the selected charities by donating their "chance of winning", however remote that "chance" might be, to worthy causes.
No disagreement with your point whatsoever Hebrides, in fact I had stated "winners' charity of choice" myself originally, which Mrs B_M_B endorsed. I was just looking for some sort of consensus & ease of administration for expediency. "Dove House Hospice" was the first put forward. Rather than having to funnel contibutors' pledges to someone on not606 (to forward to said choice(s)) it would be easier to have the eventual WC winning team select charities & announce easy ways (credit card or cheque payments through official charitable organizations web-site links). These instructions would enable the sponsors to get their contributions securely to the appropriate charities.
Macca - you couldn't be further from the point about what has really happened here. There was no obligation, or even a hint of suggestion of financial contribution or financial reward in Spanner82's OP. It was for fun, and to some extent if anyone got lucky & was allocated the eventual winning national team, perhaps a modicum of bragging rights.l The draw was made. There were (probably) 95% of the slots filled before MrsD_M_D's generous offer. I followed up by suggesting that since the draw was made prior to the financial injection, perhaps the "short straw" allocations after Spanner82's "televised" draw would get something more out of the "fun" event if we all agreed to divert the winnings to charity. Many subsequently agreed. A significant number of participants added more to the pot for charity. Some subsequently had more" fun" suggesting trading teams. The overridingl point is some charities will get donations from our "fun" from this board as a result of the spontaneous generosity of many of the participants in the "competition". Financial contribution is not a requirement. The banter is part of the fun. Nothing was pointless.
DMD will probably have a heart attack when he sees this! Total pledged donations now exceed 500 Pounds and all slots were filled before I made my original sponsorship offer.
I realize that Mrs B_M_B. i was just guessing that you made you decision about your sponsorship around the 95% completion point. In fact your sponsorship is even more impressive as you already knew you had drawn Honduras. You've triggered off yet another superb charitable drive. Good on ya, and well done not606HullCity board members. I keep forgetting the time shift between here & OZ. My youngest nephew lives in Melbourne & I think it's 14 hours ahead. Same time difference where you guys are ?
Great idea this whole charity thing and well done Mrs B.M.B with your donation. Do think the winner should get some say in which charity the money goes to. Everyone has thier own personal charities they support and it will be a great thing to do whatever charity gets the winnings!
I am willing to donate what i can! Loving my Argentina team, however if they keep banging on about the Falklands i think i might have to ditch them in this.
Brilliant gesture Mrs BMB good for you! May I echo the good wishes for Mr. BMB. I hope the charity is Dove House or Macmillan Nurses but I don't mind! My wife is a nurse and deals with terminally ill patients and so I support either. I am good for £50 (just tell me where and when it has to be paid). I am giving £50 to another cause - similar thing to this. I know Costa Rica haven't a 'snowball in hell's' chance...however, Ms. Costa Rica on the other board perked me up a bit!
Swapping teams is pointless. You're just ruining the fun for everyone.... from someone who has a team with a chance of winning it
Total now heading towards 700 pounds when all pledges are taken into account so well done to all the sponsors.
Not read all the posts but think I know what's been said, I don't expect my team Algeria to win but if they did I'd donate the prize money to Dove house Whoever wins I'll donate $50 to that said charity