Prior to the NHS, many hospitals were established and run by voluntary effort, relying to a large extent on charitable donations.

Community fairs, bazaars and fetes were a common event: attendees would pay an admission fee to join the festivities which would typically include stalls selling goods, friendly competitions (including for example, ‘the bonniest baby’), and music and dance. Proceeds raised would go towards the local hospital.

Posters for fundraising fairs – such as those on this page – were often bright and colourful, conveying the event as a fun, enjoyable occasion for all.