Failte Towers - Charities turn down money offer

[The_Banker]

Failte Towers starts on RTE tonight. It will probably be a rubbish show as most reality TV programmes are. However, it should raise a few bob for charity.
It contains the usual list of "I want to be a celebrity" hopefulls but one thing that caught my 'eye' as it were was the problem one of the contestants had in getting a charity accepting her as its chosen charity.

Claire Tully (one of the contestants) did her Leaving Cert in 2003 and recieved the perfect results getting 600 points (the highest that can be got) and went on to TCD getting the highest graduate award when she recieved her Ph'D. She shocked many by choosing a career path as a topless Page 3 model.

Now each contestant must choose a charity which will receive financial renumeration from the text votes each person garners. Claire Tully chose 3 different Breast Cancer charities but none of the charities wanted to be associated with her and turned down the offer. A spokesperson for the Marie Keating Foundation was quoted as saying "A line has to be drawn in what we will be associated with".

This has to be a first. Charities turning down money! Each contestant will raise a minimum of €5,000.

 

[ClubMan]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

This has to be a first. Charities turning down money!

I doubt it. I'd imagine that there have been previous cases of charities refusing support from what they consider inappropriate donors or sources based on their own ethical policies and mission statements? For example, and also...

 

[The_Banker]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

I doubt it. I'd imagine that there have been previous cases of charities refusing support from what they consider inappropriate donors or sources based on their own ethical policies and mission statements? For example, and also...

Ok, it isn't the first. But I still find it hard to fathom why in this case the money has been turned down.

There is nothing unethical with regard to Page 3 topless photos from what I can see

 

[ClubMan]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

There is nothing unethical with regard to Page 3 topless photos from what I can see

You or I or others may not have a problem with it. Some others may though. It's hardly surprising that some charities might turn the offer down. And of course any publicity is good publicity for the programme in question too...

 

[DavyJones]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

You would think that if she shows her breasts alot, then the charities are fitting.

 

[rmelly]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

The charities may feel that being associated with her will adversely affect their ability to generate donations, they may just not want to he associated with 'Page 3' - which is fairly tacky (the Sun afterall), they may wish to control/manage their own publicity/image, they may feel that being associated with her will adversely affect their ability to function etc etc etc

Any of the above reasons is fine by me, and in the greater scheme of things, what's 5k or so? If she really want's to donate then she can do so anonymously afterwards...

Also, let's not imagine that the 'contestants' are doing this for charity.

 

[DrMoriarty]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

Also, let's not imagine that the 'contestants' are doing this for charity.

I think that's precisely the point and, while I personally have nothing against Claire Tully showing her breasts wherever she wants to, I think the charities are making the right decision.

 

[room305]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

Claire Tully (one of the contestants) did her Leaving Cert in 2003 and recieved the perfect results getting 600 points (the highest that can be got) and went on to TCD getting the highest graduate award when she recieved her Ph'D. She shocked many by choosing a career path as a topless Page 3 model.

AFAIK she's only started studying for her PhD - I don't think she's received it yet.

 

[Simeon]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

You or I or others may not have a problem with it. Some others may though. It's hardly surprising that some charities might turn the offer down. And of course any publicity is good publicity for the programme in question too...

If God had wanted us to go around naked we wouldn't have been born wearing clothes.

 

[delgirl]

Failte Towers - Car Crash TV!

So now we know what RTE are spending our licence fee on - car crash TV like Failte Towers!!

Having worked in the hotel industry for 20+ years, I thought this might be a good opportuntity for the 'great unwashed' to see what life is really like behind the scenes and how hard it is to run a hotel and get simple things like 100+ meals on the table on any given evening.

Who are these so called 'celebrities' anyway? I have lived in the ROI now for 10 years and the only one I recognise (because she was lambasted in the media) was that Jennifer creature from the Apprentice. Is the only way she make can make a living by appearing on reality TV?

The only credible person in the entire show, including the awful presenters, is Derry Clarke, who I am sure is now regretting his participation big time!

If this is all RTE has to offer for the millions they collect in licence fees.....

 

[rmelly]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

If God had wanted us to go around naked we wouldn't have been born wearing clothes.

So you don't wear clothes then?

 

[Complainer]

Perhaps the charities were concerned that these shows regularise the situation whereby basic public services are provided on a charitable basis, instead of by right. It is verging on criminal that these shows create an environment where 'Aw sure it's great that they are doing it for charity' is seen as normal, and schools/hospitals/disability services are begging for basic income.

 

[sherib]

I wasn't very impressed by the first course of F.T. either but maybe it'll get better. She may not fit the category of "celebrity" but I've always admired Evelyn Cusack, Meteorologist, and gave her a vote last night. Seems to be a cheap way for RTE to fill a bereft Summer schedule.

I'm not sure whether to support the "celebrity" I like or the named charity. It's a pretty harmless way to fund raise for charities. Just wonder, who will come out on top financially? Will it be RTE in advertising revenue+ savings on a decent programme or the charities?

 

[Sunny]

I didn't recognise anyone on it apart from Evelyn Cusack and the one from the Apprentice. I don't even know who the idiot that is presenting it is so I switched off.

 

[rmelly]

Re: Failte Towers - Car Crash TV!

So now we know what RTE are spending our licence fee on - car crash TV like Failte Towers!!

Having worked in the hotel industry for 20+ years, I thought this might be a good opportuntity for the 'great unwashed' to see what life is really like behind the scenes and how hard it is to run a hotel and get simple things like 100+ meals on the table on any given evening.

Who are these so called 'celebrities' anyway? I have lived in the ROI now for 10 years and the only one I recognise (because she was lambasted in the media) was that Jennifer creature from the Apprentice. Is the only way she make can make a living by appearing on reality TV?

The only credible person in the entire show, including the awful presenters, is Derry Clarke, who I am sure is now regretting his participation big time!

If this is all RTE has to offer for the millions they collect in licence fees.....

Did you watch this programme? If so then you've just helped justify its existence...

 

[Simeon]

Re: Charities turn down money offer

So you don't wear clothes then?

 

[delgirl]

Re: Failte Towers - Car Crash TV!

Did you watch this programme? If so then you've just helped justify its existence...

I watched it out of curiosity as I've been involved in the hotel business for a while, not because I like reality TV.

I was just astonished at the 'amateurishness' of the whole production.

One of the presenters even completely turned his back to the camera in the first few minutes of the programme.

They were both stumbling over their words, maybe they had a drink at the bar before the show got underway?

The one that was in the bar was asking guests questions who weren't wearing microphones and he even moved his own hand-held one away from his face when he asked a question, making it inaudible.

I certainly won't be watching it again.

 

[sherib]

Originally Posted by Room305
AFAIK she's only started studying for her PhD - I don't think she's received it yet

Not sure she's studying for her PhD which, if true, is regrettable. According to an interview in yesterday's Irish Times:

......so she has decided to specialise in HIV research. Last year she landed a PhD research place in Oxford, only to discover that she would have her research fees paid but would not qualify for a stipend to cover her living expenses, as UK students do. It made taking up the offer as impossibility.

At a time when it is so important to encourage science students (and others of course), a la Peter Sutherland, in a knowledge economy, it's disappointing to see such a lack of support for our brightest graduates. This young woman is from a working class background and obtained a first degree in biochemistry and immunology from TCD.

According to Peter S, our universities are sorely in need of substantial additional financial support and Irish universities are way down the list in league rankings and compare very unfavourably with Scotland and elsewhere. Since it's accepted that an important component of the Celtic Tiger was our well educated young population, surely all levels of education should be given maximum priority in the interest of Ireland Inc. We need a Visionary in government. Who????
PS The Irish Cancer Society has accepted Claire Tully's offer and proceeds will go to one of their programmes "Action Breast Cancer".

PPS Apologies - I seem to have drifted off topic

 

[Jody]

Sorry to barge in but I just had to get my tuppence worth in on this one. I know that she originally approached some other breast cancer based charity but I understand their reluctance to have her out front (pardon the pun) for their campaigns. As a breast cancer patient in the past I can totally understand the moral debate that it might have raised, it is such a sensitive time and every single person is different. Many find the mutilation of mastectomies and various treatments quite hard to deal with, as you would expect. I would think that the media would use the opportunity to publish topless photos of her and although I personally would not have a problem I can certainly see that there would be many who would not follow. I am delighted she has found a charity close to her heart and wish her the best !

 

[Diziet]

At a time when it is so important to encourage science students (and others of course), a la Peter Sutherland, in a knowledge economy, it's disappointing to see such a lack of support for our brightest graduates. This young woman is from a working class background and obtained a first degree in biochemistry and immunology from TCD.

It is always difficult to attract funding for a PhD - her 1st class degree and 'working class background' are not that relevant. Lots of PhD candidates have 1st class degrees after all.

I would love to see more postgrad support grants, but when I did my PhD 15 years ago, I ended up working full time as a researcher and studying part time. It took a bit longer, but I did not whinge about the state not giving me a grant .

What encourages science students is the availability of well paid work. A bit like any other discipline really.