Supporting A Cause

I met a guy recently who wanted to run a marathon. Fine -- his problem. The trouble was, he wanted me to pay him to run the marathon -- not so fine. Suddenly his problem is my problem.

Now I know he wanted to give the money to a good cause, and I know when I said no, I looked mean. But I am really tired of this sponsorship nonsense. If I want to give money to a charity, I will -- and believe it or not, sometimes I do.

But what on earth has that got to do with some man plodding twenty six miles around the city streets dressed as a knight in armor? He wants to run or stagger through the marathon because it will make him feel good. If at the same time he can raise a great deal of money for a charity he will feel even better -- a unique golden glow of physical endeavor and moral righteousness.

But what is in it for me? If that gentleman said that in return for sponsorship he would spend a week picking up garbage from the filthy streets of London, then fine, I will pay. Good idea. If he wants to work in an old people's home bringing a little comfort to people who need it, okay.

But those who want sponsorship don't do anything useful. They want to climb a mountain, to cycle around the world, or indeed to run the marathon, and they want me to pay them to do it.

I read recently that the when the New York marathon, the grand daddy of them all, started in 1970, 127 runners each paid a dollar to be involved. Last year there were 38,000 runners, millions watching, millions of dollars raised -- so I am clearly in the minority -- but does that necessarily make me wrong? I fully intend to continue with such hopeless arguments in the future. If anyone would like to sponsor me to do so, I would be very grateful.
By Peter Allen