|
|
Post by twiggyandsarah on Feb 23, 2012 14:36:50 GMT -5
I'm really hesitant about putting this forward as I'm not sure I'm at all comfortable with the idea, but I'm also wondering if it might be worth gritting teeth and giving it a try to see if we can get some much needed cash... What do people think about having a fundraising stall outside of greyhound racing tracks? I realise that there are 3 potential barriers: 1) would the tracks allow it? 2) would the punters be likely to give any money? 3) would any of us be able to stomach it without giving said punters a smack round the chops? This said, I have a feeling that there are quite a few people who go to the races who might just have a twinge of guilt and as such might likek to salve their conscience by giving money to a greyhound rescue charity - perhaps all their winnings on the way out even?!  What do others think? Am I barking up the wrong tree or might there be something in it? |
|
|
|
Post by nataliesian on Feb 23, 2012 14:43:59 GMT -5
I'm with you, this would be really hard but I do think it's worth a try, I would be willing to go to the Newcastle track. After all it's the Punters who keep the industry going. Would this be problematic with the RGT thought ?
Well done u for being brave xx
|
|
|
|
Post by baxtersmum on Feb 23, 2012 14:46:01 GMT -5
There is a group who protest every Sat outside Belle Vue in Manchester www.facebook.com/pages/Shut-down-Belle-Vue-Greyhound-race-track-in-Manchester/196942227017264They encounter a lot of problems mainly from the promoters who play loud music from their speakers to drown out the protestors, they have abuse from some of the punters as well as security. If you have a look at their facebook page they will go into a lot more detail, it seems only few of the punters have a conscience.  |
|
|
|
Post by greyhoundfan on Feb 23, 2012 14:56:26 GMT -5
Hi. I used to be a volunteer for the R..G.T and we used to go fund-raising at the local track as a lot of the kennel dogs came from there. However it would not be something I would recommend. We were regularly sworn at ( even those of us who had our children with us) and laughed at. The kind of punters that go there are not interested in the dogs welfare, just out to make money. I never felt comfortable being there and in the end that was a contributing factor to me deciding to end my volunteering with them. I am sorry to be negative, but that's my experience.
|
|
|
|
Post by twiggyandsarah on Feb 23, 2012 14:59:22 GMT -5
I'm with you, this would be really hard but I do think it's worth a try, I would be willing to go to the Newcastle track. After all it's the Punters who keep the industry going. Would this be problematic with the RGT thought ? Hadn't thought of that. Do they do fundraising work at tracks too? Maybe I should contact them. There is a group who protest every Sat outside Belle Vue in Manchester www.facebook.com/pages/Shut-down-Belle-Vue-Greyhound-race-track-in-Manchester/196942227017264They encounter a lot of problems mainly from the promoters who play loud music from their speakers to drown out the protestors, they have abuse from some of the punters as well as security. If you have a look at their facebook page they will go into a lot more detail, it seems only few of the punters have a conscience. It must be awful for them I wasn't really thinking of a protest as such, although in a way it would be, I was more thinking of being there with permission in order to fund raise as the main priority, with the hope that some awareness might be raised as well. Of course I would rather that the industry and these places didn't exist at all, but while they do I'd rather exploit the punters' pockets a bit for good instead of evil! |
|
|
|
Post by twiggyandsarah on Feb 23, 2012 15:01:00 GMT -5
Hi. I used to be a volunteer for the R..G.T and we used to go fund-raising at the local track as a lot of the kennel dogs came from there. However it would not be something I would recommend. We were regularly sworn at ( even those of us who had our children with us) and laughed at. The kind of punters that go there are not interested in the dogs welfare, just out to make money. I never felt comfortable being there and in the end that was a contributing factor to me deciding to end my volunteering with them. I am sorry to be negative, but that's my experience. Thank you for sharing that. Perhaps I was being too optimistic then |
|
|
|
Post by greyhoundfan on Feb 23, 2012 15:08:53 GMT -5
I didn't mean to dampen your enthusiasm  But I suppose it depends on how thick- skinned you are and if you could tolerate the abuse. I would also think that most tracks have a rescue that they work with it would be difficult to get permission. Also we never realistically made that much when we stood there,so it seemed a waste of time really. |
|
|
|
Post by twiggyandsarah on Feb 23, 2012 15:34:37 GMT -5
I didn't mean to dampen your enthusiasm But I suppose it depends on how thick- skinned you are and if you could tolerate the abuse. I would also think that most tracks have a rescue that they work with it would be difficult to get permission. Also we never realistically made that much when we stood there,so it seemed a waste of time really. I'm glad of your input, thanks very much. I'd rather be realistic about it than go skipping along to the tracks all hopeful then have my bonfire well and truly peed on!  I'll still contact the Sunderland track and see what they say. I'm quite thick-skinned when it comes to the opinions of people I hold on a par with cockroaches (i.e. greyhound racing supporters!) so I think I could handle some abuse from them. Will have a good think about it though  |
|
|
|
Post by elmuervo on Feb 23, 2012 15:42:24 GMT -5
Regrettably, my experience of being outside Belle Vue supports what's already been said on this thread  . It was a distressing place to be: The atmosphere was highly-charged, alcohol-fuelled, potentially volatile and very abusive . The vast majority of people going in there were not interested in opening their minds to the idea of animal welfare, let alone their pockets  . Things might not be as adversarial at other tracks, of course, but as a fundraising venture I'd fear that it's potentially high in personal and canine risk (from an upset and abuse standpoint) for probably a very small return, I'm afraid . I also think that tracks are unlikely to open their doors to host an 'outside' welfare charity, even though Gap is neutral on the issue of greyhound racing. Raising funds by tin-rattling is a challenge a lot of the time, even if the people that you're meeting are like-minded or even open-minded. I fear that changing minds and prising open wallets at the same time is maybe not that realistic . . . Others might totally disagree, so please keep the enthusiasm and ideas flowing!  Jo x |
|
|
|
Post by Cath on Feb 23, 2012 15:46:50 GMT -5
Personally that's not something I could do. I know too much about what goes on at Sunderland and Pelaw Grange and I doubt it'd be worth our while as the punters really couldn't give a toss about animal welfare
|
|
|
|
Post by twiggyandsarah on Feb 23, 2012 16:01:03 GMT -5
Thanks for your input Jo and Cath. If I do get anywhere with it at least now I'm much less naive about the expected response. I think I'd be willing to grit my teeth and put myself through it but wouldn't want anyone else or their hounds to end up distressed Natalie, IF I get anywhere with Sunderland track, and IF it's not treading on RGT toes, and IF you and I are still willing to give it a try now we know what is likely to happen ... I'll let you know what I find out! |
|
|
|
Post by dizzi on Feb 27, 2012 9:20:39 GMT -5
Trouble is I know at least with the Notts track the RGT are there very very regularly on race nights already.
|
|
|
|
Post by twiggyandsarah on Feb 27, 2012 10:23:08 GMT -5
Just to let you know I contacted Newcastle and Sunderland tracks via email and left telephone messages but have had no response. Given what I now know is likely to happen (i.e. getting abuse rather than money!) I don't think there's any point in pursuing the matter further. Glad I raised it as an idea though else I would have always wondered whether it was a missed opportunity or not - I feel pretty safe in the knowledge now that it is not!  |
|
|
|
Post by elmuervo on Feb 27, 2012 12:44:26 GMT -5
Glad I raised it as an idea though else I would have always wondered whether it was a missed opportunity or not Exactly! It's often good to chuck an idea up in the air and see how it lands and, hey, we can't win 'em all - *shrug* Onwards and upwards Jo x |
|
