Charities – good or bad?

Seems strange, doesn't it? But a lot of charities say they would prefer not to exist – or rather that they would prefer not to have to exist. For example, if there had been no boys and girls living in poverty in 19th-century London, Dr Barnardo would not have needed to set up his children's homes. And, if there were no hunger or war in the world, there would be no need for charities like Oxfam or Comic Relief.

So, charities are often best placed to provide help where there otherwise wouldn't be any. But not everybody thinks that highly of charities.

What do you think about these three opinions?