Do something practical if you want to contribute

There's a campaign going around Facebook to change your profile picture to that of a cartoon character from your childhood in support of the NSPCC.

Change your profile picture to a cartoon character from your childhood andinvite your friends to do the same. Until Monday (Dec 6) there shouldbe no human faces on facebook, but an invasion of memories. This is acampaign to stop violence against children.

Deliberately ignored the crimes against grammar.

I don't get it. Exactly how is this going to stop, or even alleviate, violence against children? Is someone going to see a picture of Captain Planet on Facebook, take a second glance at the child they were just about to beat (or worse), and think to themselves, "Nah..."? Unlikely.

I don't doubt that many are doing this out of good intentions, but I just find it a hollow gesture. Child abuse is ingrained in not just our Western society, but practically all societies around the world, and probably most which have ever existed. It's easy to dredge up the example of Sparta, whose elders would dash any babies not up to scratch off the nearest cliff.

Personally, I do my bit to prevent child abuse by a) not abusing my children or any others that I come into contact with, and b) keeping them away from the Catholic church.

If you really want to do some good, why not foster some children who have suffered? Or, if that's not your boat, and it's certainly not something for everyone, donate some money to the NSPCC.

Speaking of which, there's already a terribly good cause to donate your money to, and it's a win-win situation.

The proceeds from the December 2010 sales of ‘White Wine in the Sun’ are going to The National Autistic Society.
Tim is delighted to be supporting this charity again this year, because he feels it is a poorly funded area, with its causes and treatment still not well understood.
This is a captivating song and a beautiful and intelligent exploration of why Christmas can still be meaningful even without religious beliefs. There’s just the right amount of sentiment and some very gentle humour illustrating Tim’s feelings about Christmas and the importance of family and home. It is a heart-warming song and may make you a little bright eyed.

See, not only does your money go to the National Autistic Society, but you also get the Greatest Christmas Song Ever to listen to. Buy it now, how could you be so heartless not to?