Ask Helen

Celebrity agony aunt Helen Lederer gives you her heartfelt advice every week.

- Helen Lederer

Am I Just A Charitable Fool?

While out in town with my daughter the other day, I gave a few pound coins to a homeless lad sitting on our high street. My daughter took me to task and told me about the stories in the press about gangs of fake beggars. Now I’m not at all sure about giving (or not giving!) to people on the street. Am I being taken for a mug? I now dread venturing into town and seeing all these people – I’m damned if I do give, and hate myself if I don’t!