[Aliantha]

Personally I don't think it has to hurt in order to be considered charity. Giving to anyone of your own free will just because you know someone needs it is charity, and it's worthwhile for all concerned.

A lot of people have trouble accepting charity or help when they need it. I learned to ask for help when my mum was sick. If I hadn't, I'd never have made it through. What people did for me and mum during that time I would consider charity. It was people giving either time or sometimes money or prepared meals just in order to make our lives a little easier during a difficult time. I am eternally grateful for that, and hope that I've been able to thank all those who cared in some small way since then and I also have been more conscious of helping others in need and hope that the saying 'what goes around comes around' is fair payment in kind.

After that experience, I have come to believe that a lot of people who 'don't believe in' charity are those who've never had to ask for help before or had someone notice a need and tried to help them with it. If they had, I doubt they'd hold the opinion they do.