As the managing directors of street fund-raising organisations which occasionally operate in Brighton, we were surprised - and delighted - when learning of the recent initiative by a section of the city's business community (The Argus, May 17).

The idea for local businesses to encourage their staff to give to charity through their wages is welcome - urging donations by whatever means is good news.

But we were saddened and disappointed to discover that by encouraging workplace giving, a number of parties hoped to "force out chuggers".

This is a shameful policy, which places the interests of people and businesses above charities.

Workplace giving is no more cost-effective than street fundraising in terms of "return on investment". It looks to us as if "chugging" - trying to persuade the public to give to charity on the street - is being penalised simply because of a dislike by some of a few who act as a force for good.

With charities operating in an increasingly competitive climate, they are entitled to try and seek donations by whatever means.

If it's successful and reaches a new donor demographic, creates much-needed income and drives up awareness of the causes, then it is to be applauded.

As fundraising organisations working for charities, which do not have premises on the High Street, are not part of Brighton's local business community and which rely solely on goodwill, we were shocked by the vigour of the campaign against the fundraisers.

We get the odd grumble in other towns but those self-interested parties in Brighton, bemoaning street fundraisers, have left us aghast.

We appreciate the business and consumer interests in Brighton but something which is not a problem elsewhere seems out of proportion on the South Coast.

It saddens us this area's generous population may be prevented from giving because of a disgruntled minority.

Unfortunately, many of us only give when prompted, which is why street fundraising is so successful.

A lack of understanding and prejudice must not be allowed to inhibit the greater good.

-Simon Rydings, Face2Face Fundraising UK, Bristol and Owen Watkins, DialogueDirect Fundraising, Oxford