Honouring our Heritage: How legacy gifts support generations
For 155 years, we’ve been taking action for children. But it all began with one act of kindness.
In 1869, the Reverend Dr Thomas Bowman Stephenson saw two young boys – Fred and George – living rough under the arches of Waterloo Station. Moved by their situation, he chose to act. That moment sparked a legacy of love that continues to this day.
By 1871, Dr Stephenson had opened the National Children’s Home on Bonner Road in London – a safe place for vulnerable children during a time of widespread poverty. It was the beginning of what would become Action for Children.
Your legacy could transform a child's life
Since those early days, we’ve grown from a single home to a UK-wide charity. Expanding our services to children's centres, fostering services and mental health programmes.
Allowing us to take action so children don’t miss out on a safe and happy childhood.
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Today, we continue to honour our heritage through our partnership with the Methodist Church. Who generously raise thousands of pounds each year with our League of Light collection boxes.
Without the incredible help of our supporters, we wouldn't be able to carry on with our mission. Whether it's fundraising with us, joining a campaign, or leaving a gift in your will, your support means that we can continue to help generations to come.
Lilian dedicated her career to supporting children. After becoming ordained and joining the sisterhood in 1963, she began working at one of our children’s homes.
Lilian had a remarkable impact on the children she looked after. And after leaving a gift in her will, continues to help children to this day.
Group photo with Lilian, who worked at a National Children's Home
"My Aunt always talked fondly about her time working for the National Children’s Homes. Some of her best friends were her colleagues from the sisterhood. Throughout her life she always cared for the children she met."
-Hilary, Lilian’s niece
Years after her time at the National Children’s Home, Lilian would still receive letters from the children she looked after, telling her about their latest activities and progress in school.
Her impact on their lives and the warmth she showed them was clear.
Dear Sister Lilian, I hope you are well and happy. We have not seen you for ages! We've been told that you will be coming, so I hope it will be soon. I hope to go out with my friend this afternoon. This year the home is going to camp again, but we don't know where yet. Have you still got your little van?
A child Lilian looked after while at the National Children's Home
Thanks to Lilian’s gift, we can continue to help keep children safe and happy.
With your help, we can continue our legacy of supporting children now and generations to come. How? By leaving a gift in your will.
Last year, over 20% of the donations we received came from gifts in wills. This helped us change the lives of 687,755 children, young people, and their families.
Our trusted partner, Farewill, can write your will for free
*Photograph used for illustration purposes.
Benji’s parents Tom and Kerry were referred to Action for Children when their health visitor recognised they were struggling and needed support.
A caesarean section left Kerry in chronic pain, unable to walk properly and suffering from seizures.
Her disabilities and the demands of having young children meant Tom had no choice but to give up work to help care for the family. With neither of them working, the family fell into financial crisis.
They had to move into social housing and lost their car as they were unable to meet repayments.
“It’s been really hard”, Kerry shared:
Our financial situation impacts our kids massively. The older two asked why we moved. It’s hard to explain that because of my disability Tom can’t work and that means we don’t have enough money.
Kerry
Thankfully, Action for Children were able to help.
The family were supported with supermarket vouchers and helped gain access to a local foodbank. They were also given £250 towards a new washing machine and received help to apply for fuel and energy vouchers.
Now, we’re arranging for a panic button to be installed so that Kerry can access urgent help if she has a seizure while Tom is out. For the family, the support has been “life-changing”.
We help families like Benji's everyday - families who've nowhere else to turn. But it's only thanks to our incredible supporters that we're able to keep on reaching those who need us most.
If you would like to learn more about leaving your own legacy gift to Action for Children, you can visit our Gifts in Wills page or email us at [email protected]
Your legacy could transform a child's life
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