Stu Piddigton is the sports reporter for the Timaru Herald and is also the owner of the Terminus Hotel in the South End of Timaru. He is part of the management team in the Timaru Herald who wants to close down the Century Pool which will mean all the children in his area will now have to navigate their way North to swim in the new pool on Maori Park.
Stu sent me an email claiming he had received a complaint about my fundraising. Below is his questions with my answers in red
Hi Ron
Regards Century Pool the Timaru Herald has received a complaint about your aggressive approach to your door to door appeal.
Please ask the person who complained to contact me direct
Can you please answer the following questions.
How many people have you approached for donations?
Sorry I never counted them but one was the manager of the Terminus Hotel at Redruth
Is it a registered charity or just you with an idea?
It’s not a registered charity its the idea of myself and others
Do you provide receipts for donations?
Yes they all get a receipt and some people dont want the receipt
What are going to do with the money you raise?
Use it to save and promote the Century Pool such as print a brochue and promote it on the Timaru Directory website www.timarudirectory.co.nz
I will also be pubishing a news letter with the aim of getting more people swimming.
There are a lot of elderly folk living in the area who only need a bit of encourgement to go for a swim.
How would you describe your style of fundraising?
Cold calling is the oldest and best method in the world that works
Has anyone else joined your committee?
I dont need a committee
What is your response to the woman who said you became aggressive and the made a degrading comment when she would not contribute
Tell her to contact me so I can apologise to her in person.
Are you aware the Timaru District Council have already decided Century Pool will close and the building be given an alternate use?
Yes and my supporters and I are challenging that decision
Why are you trying to save it ?
Because 90% of those that live in the South end of Timaru dont want to see it close and desides its 150 years old which makes it historic
How much have you raised (apart from your $1000) and are you the sole administrator of the account?
$395.4o including unpaid pledges and yes the money is deposited in a special bank account under the umbrella of Timaru Tourist Promotions Limited
Do you not think it is inappropriate to take childrens’ pocket money?
The only child that has paid any money so far is my grandaughter Olivia who donated $4
Are you aware of the legal implications of touting door to door for money?
No perhaps you had better hire a solicitor and find out the rules yourself then pay him to write to me and tell me what I have done wrong.
Personal Money Back Guarantee : Any person that makes a donation to save the century pool appeal and is not satisfied with my work they can ask for their donation to be paid back.
Regards
Stu Piddington Sports Editor Timaru Herald
(03) 6844129
