THE vexed question of to what extent the ends justifies the means when it comes the charity fund raising has again been in the news.

For many years the Friends of Ludlow Hospital have staged an annual summer fund raising caper known as the ‘bed push’ although the bed disappeared some time ago.

This involves men – some of them quite hairy dressing up as nurses or at least as a ‘carry on’ style caricature of nurses- - mini shirts, black tights etc – and collecting money for the hospital.

After the 2016 event, NHS bosses made known their discomfort with the event. What is contended and not clear is whether this was a passing comment or a more formal request to change to style of fund raising.

Last year and again the men were out again in their skirts and tights and bosses at the NHS Trust refused to accept the money.

There was an outcry and claims of ‘political correctness gone mad.’

Fast forward to earlier this year and the notorious President’s Club Dinner – a high profile event in London that has been staged for 33 years and raises huge amounts of money for good causes – more than £20 million over the years.

All the guests at this event, held at the Dorchester Hotel, including Government Families Minister Nadhim Zahawa, were men, looked after by a small army of women decked out in a ‘uniform’ comprising short tight fitting skirts, heels and black under ware.

It is alleged that in addition to being paraded on stage, subjected to lewd comments and groping, some of these women were propositioned.

A number of charities have refused to accept donations from the event and the organisers have said the event will not be staged again.

It is not being suggested that the Ludlow Bed Push and President’s Club Dinner are the same, but both raise related issues about the portrayal of women.

Health chiefs say that the Ludlow event was demeaning of nurses and health workers whilst the behaviour towards some of the hostesses at the London event was totally unacceptable. Whilst the Ludlow event was toe curling, the event at the Dorchester was at a different level with women required to sign a non-disclosure agreement and subject to treatment that almost sounds criminal in some cases.

However, what both have in common is that the ends do not justify the means.

That money was raised for good causes does not justify behaviour that we would not wish to see our mothers’ daughters’ wives or girlfriends’ subjected to.

That for me is the test that men should apply.