APATHY ... APATHY ...WHY SO MUCH APATHY ......

[alangardner]

with so many many people that use this site I find it absolutely incredible that there must be many out there that do not actually realise that this site -- that WE ALL RELY ON FOR help, advice , information , empathy and many many other things --- IS ACTUALLY A CHARITY THAT RECIEVES NO OUTSIDE FUNDING ....... I ask ''' where would you be now without this site == and the people here =='' it takes funding from US to keep it going . where would you go to if it was not here ? ..... I have for the past 2 years tried to help , my latest was the ''ali-can challenge/competition '' in which for £1 per guesstimate YOU could win 5 prizes [ of your choice -up to £40 value each ] , as well as , currently £94 minimum -- or even £188 [ which I will even up to £100 or £200 ] AND ONLY 13 - THIRTEEN - people entered === I salute those that did for making 94 guesstimates between them , and thank them for their support === but with members /users well into 5 figures I feel that the apathy is overwhelming ..... I will still continue to help this site , and the good people here - but -, unless a few more people reply to this post I WILL NOT BE DOING IT IN THE SAME or similar way again ..... I will always support this site for what they have actually done for myself & my family . I await with baited breath for the replies for those that reply to this post before deciding whether to hold another for the betterment of all on this site for next year AND those that use it .

sorry for the rather long rant , but , I feel that this is a very valuable issue ..... that some people may not be aware of -- which is '' this site cannot and will not be here without funding '', and then WHERE WOULD YOU GO TO ???, I call on all users to reply to this post to show their support for this OUR SITE ..... my breath is baited !!!!..... alan xx

[Naomi8]

Many people perhaps are unaware that by signing up for annual membership of Thyroid UK they can support the running of this site.Those that can afford it can add a donation on top at time of renewal.

[alangardner in reply to Naomi8]

but , it was made very clear that people did not have to be a member to enter -- just a user -- many easy ways were made to allow ANYONE to enter [ even non-members ] -- , but how many users that gain extremely valuable help are not '' paid up members '' AND how many are denied access without realising , just look at the difference between the actual members and user figures ..... this is one of the only sites that does not discriminate between '' paid up members -- and users '' ..... my point is that without support this site cannot and will not survive and WE need to keep it going for OUR BENEFIT ......alan xx

[Naomi8 in reply to alangardner]

I wasn't referring to the comp,just to a way people can support TUK

[alangardner in reply to Naomi8]

exactly my point , the site needs to be supported .... in whatever way that anyone can ..... but there appears to be an over-abundance of apathy ... and this was just a way of grooming support with the possibility of gaining for everyone , something as well as putting a smile on the recipients faces when they receive the news .... which can , sometimes be better than some meds , even just to give them a little boost !

I thank you for your replies and interest in my post ...... alan xx

[hebden]

How do you know who do/dont help fund this site? Your post implies that you feel not many on here are members or contribute.

[alangardner]

firstly , no I do not know how many are actually members - or indeed how many members or users contribute to the funds - that was not my intension , my point was , that with the access to enter AND the possibility of a prize [ entirely funded by myself ] -- [ 8 in total ] , the take up for the efforts was only 13 people --- out of many thousands of members and users ... I am fully aware that without the supporters before I ever came on the scene I would have not got the support that ACTUALLY MADE THE DIFFERENCE for my lady and our family . and will continue to strive to help others in whatever way that I can ..... as I say ''' where would I have gone without this site ''' ??

[Treepie in reply to alangardner]

But what is " this site" ? I am a member of Thyroid UK. I thought Health Unlocked was a private business .Does Thyroid UK contribute funds to it? Sorry but I am confused.

[crabapple in reply to Treepie]

I think alangardners' point is that without ThyroidUK there would be no ThyroidUK Healthunlocked support for anyone.

[Treepie in reply to crabapple]

Not sure about that as there are an ever increasing number of communities on Health Unlocked created i suspect by them to create opportunities.

But in any event it was " this site " I found confusing as this site is Health Unlocked not Thyroid UK which has its own site.

[alangardner in reply to Treepie]

by '' this site '' I mean t.u.k. .... not health unlocked .... because it has been t.u.k that has been there for me & us and which is a non-funded charity and not a business as h.u. is

[Treepie in reply to alangardner]

Thanks for clarifying.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

We can also all raise money for Thyroid Uk by doing all our internet shopping through the Easy fundraising app. Nearly all the large retailers are on there, Amazon, Argos, Next, J Lewis, M&s, Tesco etc etc

Download the Easy Fundraising App. Sign up, choose your charity to donate to, and shop away. Very easy to use, costs you NOTHING extra, and every time you shop a small donation is given to your charity 😃

Easyfundraising.org.uk

[Hidden]

I'm confused about Easy Fundraising. If I buy from Amazon then I use the ThyroidUK affiliate link, should I stop using this?

Thanks.

[alangardner in reply to Hidden]

as far as I know you just need to keep using the link every time .... it costs you no extra and many pennies make many pounds for tuk from each shop . I am sure if I am wrong someone will reply to help

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I assume going to Amazon both ways raises money. Not sure if one raises more than the other, but personally I find Easyfundraising easy to use, plus gives you access to 100's of suppliers who will all donate, either a fixed amount, or % of the sale.

[LouiseRoberts in reply to Hidden]

We get more money from Amazon directly than through easyfundraising! Thanks!

[alangardner]

I am sorry that you feel the word apathy to be hurtfull ... it was never intended to be ... it is just that as this comp has been running for a week short of a year and with only 13 people trying to support it [ from how many thousand members ? and how many users ?? that receive and rely on this site [tuk] ] that may not realise that funding is a permanent thing that needs to be , and with some fun and a few surprizes along the way . I take on board what you say about ''easyfundraising '' and actively promote this with others that buy from these outlets , thus helping even when I don't use them . I have no other objective than to help those that have helped myself & my lady and continue to do so . but I stand by my statement that apathy from many , maybe without realising , will help nobody ...... even before I became a '' paid up member '' I received superb advise/help and understanding from here .

I certainly hope that your reply does not be removed as you do have some very valid points and maybe have pointed some others to support from alternative methods with no actual cost !

[Jefner]

I made a donation not that long ago re upgrading the computer system. Couldnt afford it due to being on benefits but i made a donation anyway cus this site is my lifeline

[Trixie33]

I've tried to enter the competition but the link won't work on my iPad. Sorry! If this is rectified I will!

[alangardner in reply to Trixie33]

if you still have trouble I would check direct with the office [ tuk's - not hu ] you could get in before cut off time -- 6.am on the 3rd sept -- there are still 2 separate SURprizes AND the final total count to win [[[ 2 x £40 gifts of your choice + at least £100 OR possibly £200 in cold hard cash ]]] , I am sure that they would be able to help ...... alan xx

[alangardner in reply to Trixie33]

sorry my mistake ..... the final count will be at 6.am on the 4th of September --- NOT THE 3rd ..... with 1 SURprize being drawn on Friday and the second being on the 4th together with the result ...... alan x

[108Optimist]

Is it simply a marketing skills issue? You can raise money for anything with the right promotions (not me - i dont have those skills).

[alangardner in reply to 108Optimist]

that maybe ,but, my point is that this has been on the ''pinned posts '' section for a week short of a year ,, with full details of prizes throughout -- and only 13 people actually entered , which seems to me to be a very poor take up rate considering the amout of members AND users of this so very valuable forum that needs as much support as it gives out to us

[MariLiz]

I did not understand how the Ali can challenge worked or how to enter? Perhaps it could be explained to new members in simple terms?

[LouiseRoberts in reply to MariLiz]

Guess how many cans Alan had collected. Send £1 for each guess to Thyroid UK.

The link to the competition form is not working for some reason. Drop me an email [e-mail] with your guesses and I can tell you how to pay! x

[alangardner in reply to MariLiz]

in addendum to louises answer below , AND still collecting until 6.am 4th sept -- from the 4th sept last year [ 2015 ]

[Rapunzel]

alangardner I hear you but... my understanding of the HU site differs from your own. On this site, which yes - was started by TUK - we help and support each other. So far as I know, TUK does not pay our wonderful administrators, or you.

I have contributed to the coffers of TUK more than a few times. But the resource I have found most helpful is the experiential support and advice not of TUK but of the cohort gathering within HU's TUK forum.

Perhaps you think I'm splitting hairs and of course I'm sorry that your alican contest has had such a poor response. My own belief is that we should all go our own way and do our own thing, be glad of HU and other likeminded resources but desist in pointing accusatory fingers at each other for having the gall to participate without making financial contribution. There are other types of support, which you yourself have participated in - contributing to this forum - which to me are more precious than glistening lucre.

I'm truly not trying to be holier than thou but feel it incredibly distateful to read members found lacking in such accusatory tones.

[alangardner in reply to Rapunzel]

im sorry if my post offended you , but , it was not meant for the many people that do try to actively keep this -- our-- site operating ... moreover the people that use it and think that sites like this actually have no running costs i.e. office costs , postage, equipment, telephone ,materials etc.etc. etc. which all takes funding .... but if as and when they have an opportunity to help they '' run to the hills '' ... I have no problem whatsoever with someone that contacts me that they may be in financial problems BUT STILL SUPPORT wherever they can ...... but , with the many users of this site that have and are and will gain their lives back I do feel disappointed with the take up of this venture - considering the possible bonuses for all === except me [ because I cannot enter for obvious reasons ] ..... I would like to thank you for what you say you are doing ,as I am , in our own small way to repay everyone that have kept this site going ....... only god knows where my lady,myself, and our son would be now without it . .....alan xx