Apparently there are idiots against giving money to charity

As those who read this blog know, I have completed the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, or rather my kids made me.

Well, I was shown a link today, which is trying to get people not to donate to it.  It states that a lot of the money that ALSA (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association) get goes to other things instead of research.  Of course, this is not the only thing that is stated in the argument.  It states that money goes into stem cell research and that those who are pro-life should therefore not support this, as well as the importance of diet in preventing this condition.  My view on the article, which does not give any other alternative towards working to cure this terrible condition is that it is a load of balls.

The problem is that people love to spread half truths about charitable organisations. This has been an issue with Help for Heroes, a charity that helps loads.

People love to spread lies about how charities help people, many are open with how they money they get is spent.  Money is spent on administration, and yes, money is spent on ways to increase further donations as well.

So, if you do not want to give money to charity, then do not.  But if you want the world to be a better place, there is a lot than can be done and donating money to charity is one of the many things that we can and, in my view, we should do.

My wife has just nominated me to do the ice bucket challenge. I'm a little confused. Has anyone else been asked to hold a toaster at the same time?

Actually, it was not my wife, it was my best man who nominated me for this on Wednesday.

We had been out for a meal that day, thanks to the SmarterCard, we got a cheaper meal at the Lion in Leavenheath.  When there, the kids were taking about the Ice Bucket Challenge.  They asked me who I would nominate, but I said that I doubted that I would be nominated for this.  We got home, and after an interesting journey back and forth as my wife had left our keys at the restaurant and putting the kids to bed, FaceBook alerted me that I had been nominated.  I have to say, seeing my friend get drenched by his kids was very amusing, but I thought that I might be able to hide this from my kids and get away with making a donation.  But my wife, who did not tell them about my nomination, showed them the video of the nomination.  Which meant that they then were very excited about the idea of soaking me.  Well, today it was done.  The money as you can see from the video goes to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.  Macmillan have also used this to raise money, and lets face it, they are both great causes.  I might get in trouble from those whom I have nominated myself, but lets see what happens.  Anyway, the kids loved every moment of having an excuse to soak me.  I suspect that they will be annoyed that this can only happen once.  But they have this memory recorded now and my son has already watched it several times today!

I've been married for 10 years, I haven't made a decision for seven

Well, actually, I have been married for a bit longer and I have to say I love being married.  Well, the summer holidays have been great so far.  We have been to France and had a great time.  The kids did not know that they were going to spend time at Disney and it took some effort to keep them distracted on the drive to Paris.  But they did love spending time there.  My daughter though swore never to go on Space Mountain!  She was brave enough to go on it, but had not been on a roller coaster for a while, the shock left her traumatised till her next ride!  I did not think that I was going to like it there, but the magic got to me and both my wife and I loved it as much as they did (though she did not go on any of the roller coasters).  A trip to Normandy was an experience for all of us, my wife and I learning a lot about the Second World War, some of which the kids learned as well.  While it was not as warm as previous holidays, it was one which was memorableand hopefully, the kids will remember some of the French that they had to take on board.

Anyway, while I would love to type more, and there is always more to write about the kids, it is getting late.