Forum Discussion
Short Code use ….. there seems to be a missing step in user guidance for use of short codes .. 🤷♂️
- 20-03-2025
AlNoMullarkey I just checked and the cost of the short code sms itself is 15p. doesn't that mean that you will need £10.15p in credit to make the £10 donation?
If you check out the Children in Need website, it says:
- For example, by texting the word FIVE to 70716, you will donate £5. Text messages cost the Donation Value, plus your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates).
AlNoMullarkey Didn't realise that they would charge you the 15p to tell you. that you didn't have enough credit! May be worth just checking that out - could be a useful learning point for us all.
Your account dashboard should show details of what you were charged for.
I suspect that a number of people use this method of donating because it's very simple and instant. For some, getting details of a credit or debit card and then putting that into the website may be a step too far for them 😰.
Another 'heads up' - on a website donation, you often get the chance to tick the Gift Aid box if appropriate and that increases the value of your £10 donation to £12.50 (20% tax paid on gross sum). Not sure you can do that on a text donation.
Hi - yes all resolved now thanks. I should have just added £15 to cover the £10 donation plus 15p text cost. I added an extra fiver and then successfully donated £10 to comic relief. Balance showed as £9.85 after failed attempt - so they do charge you 15p to tell you there’s not enough balance available ! Once I’d successfully donated £10 - I was left with balance of £4.70 as expected after paying another 15p txt. I’ve added that to my account balance towards next month’s payment, so all good there. Would I use this method again - maybe , now I realise what to do … but probably far easier to just donate direct on website using apple pay etc !
- MSF22-03-2025SMARTY Guru
@AlNoMullarkey Glad it got sorted for you. I agree that it's probably easier to donate via website.