Sir, Jill Kirby accuses charities of “shameless political campaigning” and criticises them for holding government to account (“Spare some change for our new billboard”, April 7). Of course, much of the charities’ efforts are focused on providing practical support to the needy, protecting children and providing aid to communities in developing countries. To suggest that they should do so in a political vacuum trivialises the complex challenges facing not-for-profit organisations.

Commercial organisations use sophisticated lobbying techniques in an attempt to influence government policy; why should charities not use their own strategies to encourage governments to engineer a fairer society?

We must do what we can to help the needy, as Ms Kirby suggests. But we have a right and a responsibility to be outraged at the causes of need. Let us not only put our hands in our pockets to help tackle the symptoms of injustice, but also demand that government does more to address the causes.

Gary Hancock

Highclere, Hants

Sir, Jill Kirby’s assertion that “it is time for the voluntary sector to stand aside from campaigning” does not represent the whole picture.

It is entirely legitimate for charities to undertake political campaigning in order to achieve the best possible outcome for those they seek to help — people who are often unable to make their own voices heard. The law gives charities wide freedom to campaign in this way and the Charity Commission has produced practical guidance for charities that sets out clearly what is and is not acceptable campaigning practice.

Many charities very successfully use political campaigning as part of their work. For example, the Royal British Legion’s Honour the Covenant campaign calls on the Government to upgrade service family accommodation; Mencap’s Death by Indifference campaign has highlighted poor standards of healthcare for people with learning disabilities and led to an investigation by the Health Ombudsman.

Many charities speak for those they help, sometimes among the most vulnerable in society. It is right that charities are able to speak out on behalf of such people, whether to government or to the wider public.

Andrew Hind

Chief Executive

The Charity Commission

Sir, Jill Kirby is wrong to argue that helping young people in the UK is a Save the Children “stunt”. Our job is to help children in need — wherever they are and that means here at home as well as overseas.

One way is to provide direct financial support. By offering targeted cash grants to families living in poverty in the UK who find themselves in ever greater need because of the recession, we are fulfilling our founding mandate.

Jill Kirby is right to say that we seek to put pressure on our Government to achieve greater and lasting change for children. If a charity is limited to helping the needy and keeping its mouth shut, far fewer children will be helped.

Colette Marshall

Director of UK Programme,

Save the Children

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