History of The Fund & Orphanage
The Present Day
In 1970 the annual expenditure of the Fund was £62,172.00. During the next ten years the allowances increased taking into account the cost of living and the needs of the families.
In 1980 the annual expenditure had increased to £178,076.00. In the 1990's the annual expenditure had now reached £448,357.00 today the annual expenditure in 2004 was in excess of £622,000.00.
During 2002 the Board of Management felt it important that procedures were put in place to monitor the services provided by the Fund and measures were put in place to ensure that the money expended by the Fund was channelled to the most deserving cases. It was decided to introduce a grading system for the payment of the compassionate allowance, benefiting those in most need.
A substantial donation by the Constables Branch Board of the Metropolitan Police Federation enabled the Fund to embark on an extensive renovation of the Fund's offices in Putney and the necessary restoration of antique furniture. The Board of Management, being aware that, as trustees of the Fund, they are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Fund's property agreed to the refurbishment in order to comply with legislative regulations and to ensure that the property value is sustained. Since the refurbishment the value of the property has increased substantially.
The donation from the Constables Branch Board also allowed us to obtain new computer equipment, software and office furniture. This has allowed the Secretary to develop databases and administration systems which have modernised and enhanced the services provided.
The renovations also allowed for modernisation and a museum to be established, in which artefacts and archive materials relating to the orphanage are now on display. Many of the items were put into storage, at the Metropolitan Police Historic Store, when the orphanage closed in 1937. These have been recovered along with items donated by the families of ex residents, police officers and members of the public. A War Memorial depicting the names of those orphans who fought and those who sacrificed their lives during the Great War 1914 to 1918 is displayed in the museum.
The admission records, annual reports, Board of Management and General Court minutes were all retained and preserved, along with other documents after the closure of the orphanage. It became apparent that they were unique documents and would be a source of important information for academics studying social history and police history. The archive was made available to Professor Clive Emsley and Dr Stefania Bernini of the Open University History Department. It was decided that a database would be developed, thereby preserving the archive material and that a journal and book would be published regarding the care of the children and the running of the orphanage. It is hoped that they will be available in 2006.
During the past decade donations have continued to decrease making it necessary for the Fund to engage in fundraising and compete in the demanding charity sector. In addition to the Station Counter Collection Boxes, new style collecting cans with the Fund's emblem and contact details have been produced. These can be used by members at private social events and in offices to collect additional donations. Once again the Police Federation have become involved with these projects. We are also grateful to "Just Ask Sales and Marketing Solutions" for freely contacting prospective donors and promoting the Fund.
All recipients of the Fund are encouraged to take full advantage of full-time educational facilities. Whenever a boy or girl finally leaves the educational system, a cash grant is made to help the parent or guardian provide clothing suitable for employment.
The gratitude of the mothers is most sincere and at times touching. One mother whose daughter qualified as a teacher wrote:
"there could have been no greater memorial to the memory of my husband than the kindness you have shown to his daughter"
Although her children are no longer in benefit, a mother, son and daughter regularly send a donation on the anniversary of their father's birthday. The letter sent with the initial donation five years ago said:
"as a donation from my son, daughter and myself. It would have been our birthday present to their father had he been alive."
Visit of HM Queen Mary and HRH Princess Mary on Prize Day, 17th July 1919
In conclusion, one must inevitably return in gratitude to the charity's founder, Lt. Col. Sir Edmund Y. W. Henderson, K.C.B., whose compassion and initiative a century ago has made this achievement possible. It is appropriate to quote from a Police Order of 19th January, 1870, in which he first announced his scheme to the Force and sought the views of its members. The order ended with these words:
"He (the Commissioner) feels sure it will be of lasting benefit to the Force. Seldom has prophecy been so amply fulfilled"