Sponsorship and charity

100 year old Captain Sir Tom Moore raised over £30 million for the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal by walking 100 lengths of his garden. It's a story that captured the hearts of the British public during those strange lockdown times.

Asking for donations

What dawned on me, after explaining about Sir Tom, was that the British love to raise money for charity through individual events and challenges by asking for sponsorship or donations.

It's almost ingrained in our culture. From running the London Marathon dressed up as Big Ben, to walking 1,000 miles around the UK in nothing but a pair of trunks.

As a child I can think of countless times when a friend or a friends relative came knocking at my door in search of loose change. Walking around the Island of Jersey? Swimming in the swim marathon this year?

When was the last time I sponsored somebody in France?

This made me think, when was the last time I was asked to sponsor somebody in France.

You know the playbook. Jacques is running across the Pyrenees dressed up as Bob l'éponge and is looking for donations. All proceeds will go to charity.

The answer is never.

So what's the cultural difference?

Sponsoring individuals for an event or challenge does not appear to be as popular here in France like it is back home.

Perhaps there is a trust issue with money or charities in general. Donation websites do not appear to be mainstream in France either.

Like all my "Living in France" notes, I hope to revisit them one day when and if I ever find the answer to these strange little nuances.