Hmm – I knew a couple who decided they wanted to do a big international off road driving expedition. They were planning it for about 2 years and got a Landcruiser and started kitting it out, buying stuff themselves etc. Then about 6-9 months before they went they suddenly got all ‘Charity conscious’ and decided it was a trip for charity.
Because it was for Charity they immediately started sponging off getting donations of shiny new kit from various suppliers (rather than buying it), then even decided that everyone going to their ‘Bon Voyage’ party should hand over a tenner at the door. I think they ended up spending 1 or 2 afternoons of their 3 month trip doing visits to centres run by their chosen Charity. Oh, and they even got invites to dinner/spend the night at various embassies and diplomatic offices because of their ‘Charity’ status.
So yes, a sponsored holiday is taking the mick big time.