Charity wrist bands, what's your opinion? I've been out on the streets asking young people just that question! Do you feel they're a good way to make money for charities, allowing the buyer to wear the bands to show their support, or are they more a fashion statement and a way to look 'cool' in front of your mates? A lot of charities now sell coloured wrist bands as a way of getting young people interested in their cause and boosting donations.
 | | Kirsty wearing her bands with pride |
The charity bands are everywhere – white ones to beat poverty, black and white for anti-racism, pink for breast cancer and blue to beat the bullies. There are countless other bands in almost every colour you could imagine! Many schools have banned the wrist bands, mostly because they have a no jewellery policy with their uniform. Students began to wear these bands instead of 'jewellery' pushing the boundaries still further, forcing the schools to include these in their rules. They also argue that the bands could be a safety hazard and used to flick at people. It’s causing a huge dilemma for many young people. "I haven’t bought any wrist bands because I couldn't actually find a statement that said where the proceeds were going, said 16- year-old Grace Turner from Ivybridge. "I had to wonder does any money go to the charity or are you just wearing the wrist band to show support? I'd much rather give £1 straight to a charity than walk about brandishing a bracelet trying to pretend I support them. | "Charity wristbands are a great way of raising awareness of this disease which will affect one woman in nine during her lifetime in the UK." | | Breast Cancer Campaign |
"Although the bands are a brilliant idea for many, I feel the people that CAN do more SHOULD do more. Perhaps there could be another level of awareness to increase funding, although maybe it's more the charities' job rather than its supporters. "I do think the wrist bands have become a bit of a fashion item but I don’t really think that there is too much of a problem because at the end of the day, if it raises awareness then go for it!" Sixteen-year-old Corrie, also from Ivybridge said: "I don’t really see the point in them... there’s no point in having a band just to show you support something, better to be an active helper in the cause."
 | | Is colour more important than the cause? |
And how about me? Well, I have to agree with both Grace and Corrie. If it makes money and helps awareness then it's a great way of doing so. However I do feel that people are buying these bands more for the fashion than the cause. I know people that just buy them because they like the colour, pattern or whatever and have no idea what it is they are supporting nor where the money is going. In theory the bands are great idea that has really made young people aware of the different charities out there, a lot of which they probably never knew about. Yet in practice the actual support and awareness has been majorly lost somewhere! And many companies with no charitable connections are now cashing in on the fashion band craze. "It would be a nice idea for the companies that make the fashion bands to donate a portion of profits to charity as well," said Laura James, 18, from Exmouth. "There must obviously be a market for fashion bands or else they wouldn't be on the shelves. But it would be brill if at least a proportion of the profits went to charities." Head of Post 16 at Exmouth Community College also agrees there is a problem. "I felt the charity bands were a good idea at first, but they became such a craze and more to do with fashion than with charity," said Jill Adams. "People are usually passionate about one or two things but the bands seemed to become something to collect and gather in their dozens. I also did read somewhere that not all the bands are made ecologically." The message to anyone thinking about buying a band is 'do I really understand the reasons for buying this band' and most importantly 'do I support this cause?'
Your opinion: anna
i think that they are a great way of showing mass support for a cause - it is simple but really effective. it also allows people to raise awareness with each other and spread the word. i agree though that there needs to be information/events and support to go with the bands as on their own they can only do so much. baby boo
yo i'm gonna like buy them cos they r so totally wiked they r so not out of fashion!!! i wear them the whole time init josh
how u buy them Mark
If it gets people talking about the different charities is that not a good thing? but perhaps much of the money raised isn’t reaching where it was intended for.. Jazz
I have six bands and im on the look out for more! They are a great way to rase money for charity. They are the latest fad and why not?! I think that as muh as they look nice, this isn't the reason why kids buy them...I love suppoorting the charities and this is an easy way to do it! I just wish that tghey were easier to get! From Jasmine Sarah
I am doing a debate with concern on whether or not teenagers in the West are indifferent to the plight of the western world. i would like to thank everyone who contacted this site as you have really shown me that today's teenagers DO care about charities. Keep up the good work! Thomas
I do not have one yet but i really want one so i will get them all for children i need who need the money and i hope you guys who are in need get better soon Thomas Marano tina
i think they're wicked i have over 14 Laura
I think the wristbands are really cool, but are tooo much of a craze!! annaliese
charity bands are great way to surrport your charity because it shows you care and the fact instead of just putting the money in a pot you get to prove you actuaqlly did it and get the band in return.!AND KNOW THEY ARENT OUT OF FASHOIN THEY WERENT SURPOSED TO BE A FASHOIN ACSSERIY THANKS BYE Phoebe
i have four and i dont have them for the color i want to support the charity les
i think that some people see them as fashion icons, which spoils the point of them megan
i have two a livestong one supporting Lance Armstrongs cancer charity, and a pink breast cancer one as they are two that i want to support as cancer can get anyone anytime! like kay said ther not really a fashion thing here in NZ but are beginning to become that way! another thing that really annoys me is people buying them in bulk then selling them on internet trading sites for a huge profit with only the original $1 going to the charity! Kay
I think they are a good idea but what laura said there is the made in taiwan label on some which means they were obviuosly made in a sweat shop which is against some of the charities. where i am from (new zealand) they are not really a fashion statement because they are not sold widley round here. phia
charity bands have become a fashion item all the way through. I dont think that that is a problem though as it stil supports and gives money to charity. Sean
I buy charity bands to support the cause. I feel heart broken that sometimes it does not go to the right people. Laura
It's all well and good to support charity by means of wristbands, pin badges or red noses, but has anyone else noticed the "Made in Tawain" that appears on the back of most of them? martin
they are a good idea as long as the money is paid to the charity this should be regulated Luke
I think that some of the bands are really good, but I think the people who try to jump on the band wagon by selling fakes are a disgrace sarah
I bought the band because it meant a lot to me to support the cause Andrew Maclean
My friends wear them as they say it is for a good cause, though i've never seen them wear a red nose for comic relief. I think it would be a good idea to 'award' coloured bands for services to charity - fundraising etc. | 
