Chris Maclean: Beware of the rattling can

Today two charity collectors, dressed in Superman outfits, called in to collect money for children with cerebral palsy. Armed with scratch cards and collecting tins they had all the credentials of bone fide charity collectors. But when I glanced at the intended charity I realised it was one I didn't recognise - the Tree of Hope Children's Charity.

I rushed into my office and put "Tree of Hope" into Google. The first item that came up was "Tree of Hope charity scam". Every listed page seemed to have "scam" writtten in its description. There were too many questions. Within seconds the two Supermen were outside the pub eating kryptonite.

It's a pity. Pubs are phenomenal generators of money for charity. Especially in these times, when pubs are being accused of being fountains of anti-social behaviour and for promoting ill-health, it is easy to forget what a powerful force for good a pub can be.

Pubs make a great deal of money for charity. It is difficult to conceive of a pub which doesn't. In my town alone, like many other towns, pubs will passively collect money by putting collecting tins in the counter but there are many others, who selflessly and solely for the benefit of charity, make huge efforts to meet a deserving cause. Bless them.

Pubs are a natural mechanism for this for three reasons. Firstly pubs are often made up of a group of people with a social conscience. They will react and respond to events around them. When an event like Haiti occurs the pub is the natural place when discussion, and action, can occur. These groups react independently, and respond faster, than any UN resolution or intervention of armed forces.

Secondly, one cannot ignore the influence of alcohol. Alcohol will repress your inhibitions. The discovery of some tragic tale will often, particularly after a drink, incline you to make a contribution to help lift another person's suffering. How many of us have been to charity auctions? Forgive the cynicism, but few charity auctions exist without a little "lubrication". It helps reduce tension, cuts back on caution and emphasises the emotions. There are many I know who, the morning after, wonder why they bought that holiday in Spain. But they soon forget the tenner put into the collecting tin.

Thirdly charities, and pubs themselves, know how effective both these factors are and naturally set out to develop them. Pubs are the ideal arena for collecting charitable money. It is quick and immediate.Their targets are receptive and compassionate. The charities themselves know.Few weeks pass without being phoned by a charity wanting a teddy raffled. And landlords themselves often create business opportunities for themselves based on a charity event to raise money for others. Barely a week passes before the local papers publish new pictures of a freshly head-shaven landlord or a darts team shattered by a marathon game.

So here we have immediate, compassionate, generous giving - within the framework of the pub. Its good for the charities, its good for the pubs as businesses and as communities, its good for those who give because it makes them feel better about themselves but, unfortunately, it is also good for those people who would wish to exploit it.

So, sadly, I've decided to ban all random charity collections taking place here. Our selected charities will remain.

But no more rattling cans, thank you.

I just hope that pubs can continue to be regarded as the cornerstone of good work in the community.

So be good and keep giving - but thoughtfully!