Penny Lancaster, 46, is a model, photographer and wife of 73-year-old rock legend Sir Rod Stewart
Penny Lancaster, 46, is a model, photographer and wife of 73-year-old rock legend Sir Rod Stewart. The couple, who married in 2007, are parents to Alastair, 12, and Aiden, seven, and live in Essex.
There is no point giving money to charity. This was the title of an essay that my son, Alastair, was tasked with writing for his homework last week. It’s a fitting topic, given the disturbing allegations made against Oxfam workers.
As news surfaced of alleged sexual abuse, my trust of large charitable organisations was thrown into doubt. The lack of transparency, and wrongdoing brushed under the carpet and left unpunished – it was totally unacceptable.
The problem extends far beyond charities. Corrupt government officials reap the benefits while we donate generously, believing that we are helping the most vulnerable.
So some may indeed feel that giving to charity is ‘pointless’, but I think it is more important than ever to continue to help others. It’s a message I endeavour to pass on to both my sons.
Rod and I believe that it’s our duty to set an example, which means teaching our children to treat others as they would wish to be treated. It means giving generously with time and money to those both near and far away. It’s especially important given that we are among the most fortunate. I often struggle with the term ‘charity begins at home’, as its original meaning has been muddled.
An ancient proverb, the figure of speech was intended to mean that being a loving, generous person in your home makes you more likely to be similarly philanthropic to the rest of the world.
The problem is that ‘charity begins at home’ is used these days as a selfish excuse for not giving to charity.
Rod and I teach our boys a modified version of the saying: ‘Charity begins at home but should not end there,’ as written by 17th century clergyman Thomas Fuller. After all, we are social creatures and to fulfil our purpose we need to be engaged with society and the organisations that affect us all.
I beamed with pride when I read Alastair’s essay. ‘There are many important reasons to give to charity,’ he concluded. ‘And we should spread generosity wide – only the meanest would think charity starts and ends at home.’