Happy Halloweekend, readers, if that is indeed a word or an accurate description of a weekend ending on 30 October. Like the rest of the country, Diary is sad that the chancellor will not be delivering his spooktactular Austerity 2.0 fiscal statement on Halloween itself. But then again, scary sequels usually disappoint so perhaps it’s best he went for a more low-key release date.
Before we round-up some of the spine-chilling charity related news, in a brief moment of sincerity, Diary would urge all charities who haven’t done so to frighten the government with details of their soaring energy costs by 30 October. While we don’t know exactly how the government will use responses to its consultation, it may be the only chance charities have to call on the treasury for more support for their bills after March 2023.
Now back to your regular scheduled programming. This year, Diary will be marking the most ghoulish day of the year by wearing this Historical Philanthropist outfit.
As posted on the soon-to-be-rebranded Muskaverse by Philliteracy this week, the (fake) outfit includes “terrifyingly tainted sources of wealth” and a “dead hand of donor power to impose views on future generations”, while also lacking “humility” and “accountability”.
It was pretty much inevitable that this would happen. pic.twitter.com/lvMt9jI490
— 📚Philliteracy📚 (@Philliteracy) October 27, 2022
An uncharitable depiction of philanthropists, perhaps. But luckily, Diary already owns most of John D. Rockefeller’s wardrobe, so only needs to grow a moustache over the weekend to look the spit of the wealthiest American of all time. Diary is tempted to cap off the grantmaker look by handing out restricted funding laced with arduous impact reporting requirements instead of sweets to trick-or-treaters.
But Halloween is not just a time for us homo sapiens, reader, as animal charities will tell you. The RSPCA revealed on National Black Cat Adoption Day this week that dark furred felines take almost twice as long to be adopted from one of its centres than a grey tabby. One theory is that potential adoptees see black cats as something spooky or superstitious. Meanwhile, the RSPCA and others have advised pet owners not to go overboard when dressing their pets up for Halloween as some may not enjoy being forced into a Beetlejuice or Darth Vader costume.
Elsewhere, people who like zoos but not necessarily animals rejoice as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo continues its night-time Halloween light trail this weekend.
In other news
Fellow Drag Race fans will have seen that George House Trust ambassador Cheddar Gorgeous won a RuPeter badge on this week’s show, referencing the 1980s AIDS activist group Act Up in her pink triangle runway look.
Congratulations @CheddarGorgeous on your #DragRaceUK win & thank you for shining a spotlight on #HIV activism, HIV stigma & #UEqualsU with your runway look ✊
— George House Trust (@GeorgeHouseTrst) October 27, 2022
“We need to educate, fight stigma & advocate in the interests of those living with HIV & at risk of transmission" pic.twitter.com/knv62JakiV
It was a centuries-spanning week for the Manchester-based drag queen, who was praised earlier on in the programme for her impression of Elizabeth I.
Meanwhile, British politicians showed their support for World Stroke Day this week by wearing Stroke Association pin badges in the Commons.
The charity helpfully tweeted out style icon Keir Starmer’s full wardrobe so you too can look like a regional branch manager.
Watching #PMQs and want to steal @Keir_Starmer's look ready for #WorldStrokeDay? We've got you covered.
— Stroke Association (@TheStrokeAssoc) October 26, 2022
👕Shirt: @Georgeatasda
🧥Jacket: @marksandspencer
👔Tie: @JohnLewisRetail
💜Stroke Association Supporter Pin Badge: https://t.co/2cbTBpO1M5 pic.twitter.com/zDEpL9DWjn
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