Philanthropy for the Ragged-Trousered of 1910
Before and after images of children clothed by the Police Aided Clothing Association in 1910.
Officers and staff across Greater Manchester Police raise many thousands of pounds for charity each year. A huge range of sponsored challenges, fund raising events, collections and raffles bring in much needed funds for local, regional and national charities. In 2011, volunteers raise £64,000 for the charity Retrak alone. However, the archives of the Force’s Museum tell many stories of the good deeds of police officers past. Here is just one example of this great tradition.
In the late 19th century, long before modern welfare provision, police officers themselves organised a number of schemes to provide food and clothing to the poorest in society. Many forces set up “clog funds” and the Manchester Police created the Police Aided Clothing Association. The Association distributed clothing, boots and clogs to needy children. The public donated unwanted clothes and footwear to police stations and some items were also purchased new from suppliers.
The work was carried out in the following way – officers on their beats would observe children who were ill dressed or badly shod and a full report of each case would be provided to the Association. The children would then be supplied with suitable clothing and footwear at Albert Street Police Station (the site is now a multistorey car park, off Deansgate in the City Centre).
All the goods supplied were clearly stamped “Police Aided Clothing Association”, and pawnbrokers were warned that they must never accept these marked articles, thus ensuring that the children would at least retain one set of decent clothes.
The running costs of the Association were largely paid for by the officers themselves, with charitable donations making up the remainder. The scheme was still going strong in the mid 1920s, and was probably wound up only after the creation of the welfare state in 1945.
For more information please follow Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
Philanthropy for the Ragged-Trousered of 1910
Before and after images of children clothed by the Police Aided Clothing Association in 1910.
Officers and staff across Greater Manchester Police raise many thousands of pounds for charity each year. A huge range of sponsored challenges, fund raising events, collections and raffles bring in much needed funds for local, regional and national charities. In 2011, volunteers raise £64,000 for the charity Retrak alone. However, the archives of the Force’s Museum tell many stories of the good deeds of police officers past. Here is just one example of this great tradition.
In the late 19th century, long before modern welfare provision, police officers themselves organised a number of schemes to provide food and clothing to the poorest in society. Many forces set up “clog funds” and the Manchester Police created the Police Aided Clothing Association. The Association distributed clothing, boots and clogs to needy children. The public donated unwanted clothes and footwear to police stations and some items were also purchased new from suppliers.
The work was carried out in the following way – officers on their beats would observe children who were ill dressed or badly shod and a full report of each case would be provided to the Association. The children would then be supplied with suitable clothing and footwear at Albert Street Police Station (the site is now a multistorey car park, off Deansgate in the City Centre).
All the goods supplied were clearly stamped “Police Aided Clothing Association”, and pawnbrokers were warned that they must never accept these marked articles, thus ensuring that the children would at least retain one set of decent clothes.
The running costs of the Association were largely paid for by the officers themselves, with charitable donations making up the remainder. The scheme was still going strong in the mid 1920s, and was probably wound up only after the creation of the welfare state in 1945.
For more information please follow Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.