Barnardos head urges public to contact charity with 'chugger' complaints

Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay is inviting members of the public to get in touch with the charity if they are not happy with its on-street collectors.

The practice, officially known as "direct recruitment", seeks to attract regular donors to support a charity’s cause. It is governed by a code of practice and carried out by identifiable individuals usually with clipboards, carrying ID and working in twos or threes on city streets.

However so-called "chuggers" - short for "charity muggers" - have come in for criticism over the techniques they use to get people's attention when they're on duty.

For their part, Barnardos say they use an agency to provide trained staff, who they then train specifically for the needs of their charity, and they have to follow a strict code of conduct.

Mr Finlay said the term "chugger" is an unkind name for young people who do a tough job.

But he emphasised that the organisation wants to hear from any members of the public who have had an uncomfortable experience with one of their on-street-collectors.

"In the last nine months we've had 18 complaints, so an average of two a month - and we investigate every complaint," Mr Finlay said.

"In the last nine months 4,500 new people have signed direct debits.

"So the number of complaints (compared to) the number people who have agree to become supporters of Barnardos is relatively small.

"But we take every complaint seriously (and) what we want is that people would ring us."

Charity collectors have been criticised for their approach in recent days, with Twitter users venting their frustration at pushy and "touchy-feely" techniques.

Dedicated Twitter account @chuggerwatch is telling people where chuggers are working, and the tactics they are using.

"There was really sickening tactics going on Grafton St today. Borderline harassment," one twitter user posted.

"Chuggers shouting at people, calling out what they’re wearing. Tapping guys on shoulder, asking kids for high fives," another tweeted.

One Twitter user lamented that a chugger tried to hug him. "Are hugs a new tactic?" he asked.

Additional reporting: Irish Examiner.