Fundraising for the Little Folks Ward
The Hackney and Kingsland Gazette reported, on 27 May 1901, that the North-Eastern Hospital had received £200 from the 'Little Folks' on account of the fund of £2,000 being collected. The 'Little Folks Ward' was to be in the new building that would be erected on Hackney-road. It was later reported, on 27 October that year, that the editor had sent in another £200 and the committee earnestly appealed for further contributions towards the enlargement scheme. A third instalment of £200 was received on 1 February 1902 for the ward, whilst the new building was then in the course of being erected.
By the end of that month, the first of the cots, "The Little Folk's cot', had been installed in the Connaught Ward and it was hoped that it, and the five other cots would soon find a place in the new building where Princess Henry of Battenburg was preparing to lay a memorial stone in the May.
The fourth £200 instalment was reported on 14 June as being received from the Little Folks editor; then the fifth in November marking the half-way point towards the £2,000 required. The next £200 instalment, the sixth, was reported on 25 February 1903.
On 28 March 1903, the Hackney Mercury provided good detail on the state of the wider project.
The North-Eastern Hospital for Children, Hackney Road, is the only institution of its particular kind, conveniently situated for a population of 500,000, about half of whom, according to the census returns, consist of children under twelve years of age. The hospital at present has only 57 beds, but a new wing, providing 50 additional beds, accident rooms, new operating room, and other much needed accommodation, has been built at a cost of £30,000, and is about to be opened. Further buildings, estimated to cost about £20,000, are planned, and will be commenced as soon as funds allow. A sum of £30,000 is still required to carry out the entire scheme, free from debt. With a view to securing some portion of this sum of money a meeting was convened at the Mansion House on Monday afternoon by the ladies and gentlemen who have identified themselves with the welfare of the institution. The Lord Mayor presided, and pointed out that the fresh demands made by the constantly increasing needs of the hospital and the necessity for bringing it up to date and providing home for nurses, called for more money. The journal, “ Little Folks,” had enlisted the sympathy of children, and through its columns had raised £1,200 out of £2,000 required for the establishment of the “Little Folks” ward of six cots. Dr. C. A. James gave an account of the Hackney bazaar held in December last, by means of which a sum of £1,684 was secured for the institution. Other institutions had subscribed generously, and Lord Reay and the School Board had allowed the children to make collections, whereby a sum of £300 was obtained. Of every 100 children born in Bethnal Green, 27 percent died before they were one year old, and 42 percent, before they reached the school age of five years. A sum of £60,000 a year was expended by the London School Board upon children who were blind, crippled, or mentally defective in trying to place them upon the same footing as other London children. If these children could be treated in hospital before they reached the school age a large sum would be saved, as it cost £200 more to educate a defective child than it did a sound one. The cheque for £1,684 was then, amid applause, handed to the Lord Mayor. In moving a resolution drawing attention to the urgency of the need for further contributions to place the hospital committee in a position to give effect to their plans, the Duchess of Somerset asked that money should not be given on the grounds of necessity alone, because those who gave grudgingly did not give well. The children of today were the nation of to-morrow, and in strengthening the children of today they were strengthening the nation of the future. (Cheers.) It was a mistaken idea to think that because they could not give money they could not assist a charitable cause. They could very often obtain money from others who had it. Sir W. Treloar seconded the motion, and pointed out of the £32,000 required £22,000 had been provided, so that £l0,000 was needed for immediate purposes. The Lord Mayor said that unless the money asked for were forthcoming the hospital committee would have to go to the bank, and in the present state of the market, they could not borrow under 4 percent. He hoped some wealthy gentleman would lend the money free of interest, or at a very low rate. A collection was made at the close of the meeting.
In June 1903, it was reported that 'the late Thomas Whitfield' had bequest £3,000 towards the building fund.
At 'Bodicote', Purley, a garden sale of work was held on 14 July, by Miss Winifred Puplett and several ladies. Their efforts resulted in a cheque for the 'Little Folks Ward' to the sum of £7 11s, 7d.Young readers of 'Little Folks' had increased their efforts, which allowed the Editor to send in a further £500 to the fund in February 1904.