My giving week

John Martin

"EVERY SEPTEMBER WHEN MY SALARY comes in, I give a week's worth of pay to help people in the developing world.

"It works for me, and I like the feeling that I'm not just generating more money for myself.

"My ‘week a year’ giving derived from when I got my first ever job, and I wanted to celebrate by giving a decent chunk of my salary back.

"I didn’t think much about who to support. I remember hearing that War on Want (see profile) was going bust, so I went for the safe option of Oxfam (see profile). But I did think about how much to give. It didn’t take long to work out that I couldn’t afford a month’s salary - but I could afford a week.

“I’m about to re-evaluate my approach, and I plan to do so every year”

"As it happens, I’m about to re-evaluate my approach, and I plan to do so every year – in the same way you’re supposed to re-evaluate your mortgage, electricity provider, etc. This is important because I’m losing touch with why I’m giving and what I’m giving to. The initial passion is subsiding, and that’s a shame.

"I’m going to start by looking again at Oxfam, and the alternatives. Does it cover everything that moves me? Does it cover too much? I need to do some thinking.

"I’ll also choose a memorable week – maybe a significant date in the charity’s calendar, or maybe in my life: a birthday, or the anniversary of a relative passing away. Then the week will mean more, and that can only be a good thing."