Christmas greetings come with a reminder that fundraising (in its broadest sense) is a cultural activity. People everywhere have a strong sense that givers are blessed by giving. Our man on the Laos border says: “Each morning throughout Thailand monks from Buddhist temples go out to the local areas to collect alms from devotees. In the village of Don Wai where Sarnelli House is situated the Buddhist temple is small compared to other temples and the villagers give food each morning to the monks and in return they receive a blessing.

Our editor, Tania, has kindly asked me to blog because she knows I have strongly held views, frequently robustly expressed.Just between you and me, I think she considers me opinionated.Since this is our first encounter, I am anxious to engender in you, fellow fundraiser, an altogether more charitable impression. So as it's Christmas, the season of goodwill toward all people, and just as excitingly the season of panto, I want to beguile you with a piece linking Tinkerbell, charity donors and – since we are approaching Christmas against the background of truly impressive financial crisis, I thought I would throw in some bankers and securitised investments for good measure.