A WOMAN is calling on charity collectors to show restraint after her mother complained of being bullied into donating on her own doorstep. Veterinary nurse Pauline Godbold told The Hunts Post her 76-year-old mother Barbara had been upset by the actions of

A WOMAN is calling on charity collectors to show restraint after her mother complained of being bullied into donating on her own doorstep.

Veterinary nurse Pauline Godbold told The Hunts Post her 76-year-old mother Barbara had been upset by the actions of a man working on behalf of the British Red Cross.

Mrs Godbold said: "I don't mind giving to charity at all but it is not right that my mother should be made to feel that the only way of getting rid of this person was to hand over her bank card details."

The cold-caller came to the home of retired housewife Barbara Emerson on two occasions last Tuesday, June 17.

Mrs Emerson, of Brampton, said she felt she had no option but to sign up to a regular donation £6.50 per month to leave her property.

The pensioner has stickers displayed on her door asking for cold callers and door-to-door salespeople to stay away.

Mrs Godbold added: "Charity workers need to recognise that elderly people can be easily intimidated by a persuasive and insistent manner. My mother was very upset by the whole experience."

Mrs Godbold said that she had since contacted the British Red Cross to cancel the standing order and make her feelings known.

Liz Williams, direct marketing manager for British Red Cross, said: "We take the care of vulnerable people very seriously and we have a number of policies in place to help protect and ensure that no undue pressure is put on members of the public during door-to-door fundraising.

"Any donors over the age of 75 who do sign up to donate receive a follow-up phone call to ensure they are happy with what they have agreed to and that they do not feel they were pressured into it.

"We take all complaints or reports of concern very seriously and investigate them thoroughly, as we will do in this case. We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any distress caused to Mrs Emerson.