I'm the one with control over this entry page - but I only act under instruction from the AUK Board.
Personally I would have much preferred to instigate a system whereby each organiser could opt out or in - and did suggest this - but I was asked to implement a 'blanket' version. I have also put the question as to whether it is still wanted at all, after 31st December - and have been told that it is.
When is this event to be? If it's later in the year, the donation thing might have gone away by then anyway.
If you can persuade someone on the Board to so instruct me, I can make a switch to add to the URL you use, to switch the donation option off.
As to the in-yer-face-ness - well, yes. I don't particularly like it myself, but I don't see any point in hiding it away.