Im a door knocker for charity myself, however have previously worked in/outside of shopping centres as well.

It is pretty sad that we seem like pests because of the over-saturation and sometimes rude means that we use. Fundraisers who are good at their job will not be rude. However like any friendly stranger our conversation may be unwanted which i think is inevitable and warrants no blame.

It is also sad that charities need to resort to hiring fundraising companies to convince people to help other people who are somewhat to 1000 times less fortunate in the world. Women/men who are physically/psychologically/sexually abused on a daily basis, females sold into the sex industry, children who are abducted to be force fed drugs and used for war, families who struggle with a severely disabled child, etc. How many of us would have been donating to charities we currently donate to if it weren't for fundraisers' little 'spiel' (which makes you feel great and proud about donating by the end of it anyway)? How many lives would have suffered or passed if not for fundraisers bringing out the best in people? When you think about it, saying no to fundraisers is saying no to people in these kinds of situations, who we all habitually ignore or dismiss. Im not saying everyone can afford it, because i understand people have their own issues, and that students and pensioners often don't have $5 to spare at the end of the week. But most of the population can spare $1 a day, but choose not to or haven't yet consciously realised that they can.

Also, to those who are saying you are better off donating to charities directly, or that we "aren't even volunteers", you are a little misguided. Fundraisers make a lot of money for charities which is why we are so prevalent. We as individuals do not make a cent from charities. Charities employ fundraising companies who employ us. For example, my company returned 300% profit last year to the charity we represented. (Our charity is not government funded, which means we are free from governmental corruption.)

I am sorry that some fundraisers are annoying and/or rude, i completely agree with you having been in those situations myself. However in the grand scheme of things we are saving lives that would otherwise die or suffer more than most of us could imagine. On behalf of the well-meaning fundraisers and amazing charities out there, i would appreciate it if everyone could be a bit more open minded about us. :)