As I rush down the high street in haste to get to the sandwich shop (highlight of the day), I find it annoying to waste precious seconds avoiding Chuggers. Annoying, but also guilt-inducing.

I know I am justified in ignoring the charity muggers as a) I already have a standing order to the charity and b) I want most of the money I donate to go to the charity, not the person standing in the street. However, the plaintive expressions of the young man with “Amnesty International” emblazoned across his chest, makes me feel uncomfortable.

I have the same thing with Big Issue sellers. Even though I‘m a regular buyer of the publication from one seller, I still feel guilty at ignoring the other vendors.

And the charity guilt continues in the office.

There is always someone doing a sponsored run, cycle or mountain trek. It seems churlish to say no, but should you sponsor everyone who asks? Are there any rules about when and how it is reasonable to decline helping a good cause? Not that I’ve found, so here are a few of my own:

1. If someone asks for cash to sponsor an exotic adventure of a lifetime, ask yourself, why should you pay for their holiday? I would love to walk the Great Wall of China or cycle across Europe. Instead, donate cash straight to the charity. After all, some sponsorship organisations take a sizeable cut of the money for “administration” costs …

2. When the boss tries to dress up an excruciating team-building exercise as a charity event, such as parading in animal costumes and doing silly things in the countryside, feel free to throw a sickie. You can salve your conscience by giving cash, but why should you also look like a fool?

3. When people use emotional blackmail to get you to contribute, such as singling you out in front of an audience and demanding cash in public, you should refuse on principle. It might make you look mean, but you should never give into bullying, even when it’s in aid of a good cause. Of course, if it’s a client asking for money, that’s different.

4. It really annoys me when charities I give to regularly send me mailers asking me to give even more. I don’t want them wasting my donations on unnecessary marketing. And I really hate it when they call me up. So this tactic just doesn’t work with me.

Now that I’ve got that off my chest, anyone want to sponsor me to eat some pies?