# Astarita calls on charity leaders to defend fundraisers and fundraising

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/07/09/astarita-calls-on-charity-leaders-to-defend-fundraisers-and-fundraising/
- Published: 2013-07-09T09:59:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Mark Astarita, Chair of the Institute of Fundraising and Director of Fundraising
at the British Red Cross, last night called on charity sector leaders to demonstrate
their pride in their fundraisers and to defend fundraising from its ranks of critics.**

Speaking at the Institute of Fundraising’s National Awards in London, Astarita said:

> “I am getting pretty sick of the fact that it is the fundraisers of this country
> in this room tonight who seem to be constantly in the firing line and every time
> we rush out of the trenches defending our right to ask, every other charity leader
> happy to take the cash has run for the hills with their petticoats showing.”
> 
> ## Advertisement
> 

In front of over 800 guests at the awards, he added:

> “So bloodied maybe I am, but bring it on I say, for one thing is for sure – UK
> fundraisers are not cowards and we will not let down those who depend on us whatever
> it costs. It would just be nice for a few others to take the strain and start 
> pulling the train too.
> “So tonight’s headline from me to them is: **If you spend it you should be bloody
> proud of those that raise it.**“

His call to action followed his comment last year that he would be “a gladiator 
for fundraising and fundraisers everywhere”. Sticking to that theme, he asked:

> “but why are the rest of our charity community sitting in the Coliseum silently
> watching the lions take chunks out of us?”

Astarita began his address by listing the achievements of the Institute over the
past year:

Mark Astarita at the National Fundraising Awards. Video: Howard Lake

and then followed with his self-styled “rant”:

Defend fundraising and fundraisers! says Mark Astarita. Video: Howard Lake

 * **[OBE for Mark Astarita, British Red Cross’ director of fundraising](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/06/13/obe-for-mark-astarita-british-red-cross-director-of-fundraising/)(
   13 June 2015)**
 * **[Gill Astarita Fund raises nearly £24,000](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/10/15/gill-astarita-memorial-fund-raises-nearly-24000/)(
   15 October 2009)**
 * **[Mark Astarita to continue to chair the Institute of Fundraising](https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/07/03/mark-astarita-continue-chair-institute-fundraising/)(
   3 July 2013)**