Children aren't selfish! Two-thirds would give up a present for
charity
21 July 2009
Children defy the
stereotype that most of them are selfish and materialistic. Over
two-thirds (68%) would be prepared to give up a birthday or
Christmas present for money to be donated to charity instead. The
majority (86%) of children believe that we should all give money to
charity, but only around half of adults donate money to charity in
an average month (56%)*.
The charitable thoughts and habits of children are revealed in
research commissioned by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), the
charity that encourages a culture of giving. Over 650 children aged
10 to 16 years took part in the face-to-face survey.
Just over a quarter of children (27%) have given money to
charity in the last year and three-quarters (75%) would like to
give more. The average size of a child’s last charitable donation
is just shy of £4, at £3.99 - a large percentage of the average
weekly pocket money (£4.98). Two-fifths (43%) of children have
donated toys, games, clothes or other things to a charity.
Almost all (95%) children think that charities make the world a
better place. However, charities need to work harder to engage with
children’s enthusiasm for charity. While nearly two thirds (65%)
would like to volunteer for a charity, only 13% have done so. Most
children (85%) believe that charities need to do more to get
children interested in the work that they do.
Commenting on the results, John Low, Chief Executive of CAF,
said: “Young people are often perceived as selfish and
materialistic but in fact they are generous and keen supporters of
charities. Today’s children are the future and their passionate
desire to make the world a better place bodes well for our
society.
“To encourage them CAF and FIVE News are running a competition
to find, Britain’s Kindest Kid. The competition recognises the
children in Britain who have volunteered or raised money for
charity, or done something special to help make the world a better
place.”
Charlie Doherty, aged nine, a finalist of last year’s Britain’s
Kindest Kid competition who has given up birthday presents for
charity since he turned five, says of the results: “I’m not
surprised that children are willing to give up presents for
charity. I’ve got everything I need, so why wouldn’t I help others?
But it’s not only about giving up presents, I’ve started to raise
funds for my favourite charity to sponsor a school in Malawi which
can give a meal to its children for less than 2p a day. It’s so
easy to make a difference to the lives of those less
fortunate.”
The results of this survey will be featured on FIVE News
today.
More results from the survey:
Children's favourite causes
- animal welfare (26%)
- children (15%)
- medical research (13%)
- homeless (8%)
- providing healthcare (7%)
Children's most popular charities
- Cancer Research UK (15%)
- RSPCA (7%)
- Children in Need (5%)
- Comic Relief (5%)
- Red Cross (3%)
(*) Figures according to UK Giving 2008. Learn
more about UK Giving 2008 >>
Notes to Editors
1. Research conducted by BMRB Omnibus face-to-face survey
to 655 children aged 10 to 16 between 30 April and 3 June
2009.
2. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is a charity set up to
help other charities by working with donors, companies and
charities to encourage and facilitate a culture of giving. They do
this by offering products and services that make giving easier
and tax efficient, and help charities to make the most of
donations through banking and fundraising support services.
3. Britain’s Kindest Kid is now in its second year and
recognises the amazing work that young people do to support
charities, help others and make the world a better place to
live.
Find out more about entering Britain's Kindest
Kid >>
Media contacts
James Ketchell
Press Officer
Charities Aid Foundation
T: 0207 832 3014 (Out of office - 07846 484 192)
E: jketchell@cafonline.org
Mandy Pursey
Head of PR
Charities Aid Foundation
T: 0207 832 3012
E: mpursey@cafonline.org