Letter: Diana's Fund

Michael Brophy
Tuesday 16 September 1997 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: The tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, has led to a ground swell of public support for charities. But will it generate a new public mood towards the giving of time and money to charities and to those they serve in the long term?

Princess Diana's favourite charities will undoubtedly attract more money in support of their work - and rightly so. But what will her legacy be more generally on people's willingness to give? Will it differ between the old and the young? Between some of us and others?

The Memorial Fund, so quickly established in the Princess's name, was able to take appeals first on the Internet and only subsequently through banks and for a long time without the tax gearing. Spontaneity is seldom efficient and despite the fund's best efforts, the early days as seen from the inside were somewhat chaotic.

Should the Charity Commission not again review the lessons and procedures of crisis appeals as it did after the Penlee lifeboat disaster? And as they become increasingly international, how do you set up an efficient global appeal in 24 hours?

More generally, what will be done with the several hundred millions raised in Diana's name? Many good ideas are being generated and the fund's trustees and Gordon Brown are encouraging more. My own idea, like those of others, concerns the "excluded" - her "constituency", in Earl Spencer's memorable words. Each town or county might have a "People's Trust".

Those, like Princess Diana, wishing to enlarge and deepen their lives by helping the poor and the excluded in their own areas, could give or become involved through their local People's Trust.

MICHAEL BROPHY

Chief Executive

Charities Aid Foundation

West Malling, Kent

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in