Parachute jumps for charity have come in for some criticism in a new book about charity fundraising. “Doing Good Better: Effective Altruism and How You Can Make a Difference” by Oxford don and expert in charity giving William MacAskill, reviewed in the Daily Express.

Less than 40% of the money raised from sponsoring a jump actually gets to the charity says MacAskill since the parachute clubs take the lion’s share. A sponsorship of £400 commonly sees the parachute club get £250 and the charity £150, making it a very wasteful way of raising money for good causes.