I have mixed views on charities – firstly most of them should not be necessary – e.g. Cancer charities, surely our tax money should pay for such important research (maybe with a tax allowance); secondly many are just a tax avoidance scheme – e.g. private schools -why should people buying an advantage for their children be given a tax break; third I accept that many charities are niche and would not get public funding. But 170,000 + charities claiming a tax allownce is ridiculous.
Lastly – why should some rich bastard, who has probably ripped off workers or customers, receive plaudits for giving money to their chosen charity? Billionaires by definition are not nice people!