Many people don't realise how uneven charitable giving is. Some causes attract more and bigger gifts than others. Of course giving is a personal choice, but is it fair that some needs struggle to attract donations?

The cause which attracts the most donors and the most money is medical research. Health care is also very popular. This is not surprising - everyone needs medical and health help at some time in their own or their families' lives. So is it charitable enough to give to such causes? We like to give to children’s causes too. They attract many better-off donors. People earning above the average £26k per annum give more than two and a half times as much to children’s causes those earning below it.

There are many causes which have to struggle much harder to fundraise such as disabilities, mental health, AIDS and the elderly. Giving to international causes where needs are high is very generous in the UK - is it harder to face up to needs at home?