Timeline of Fundraising and the NHS

Public fundraising activities are one of the most revealing aspects of charitable funding for healthcare in the UK. Before 1948, many hospitals were founded and funded with a mix of charitable donations, patient payments, investment income, and subscriptions. Under the NHS since 1948, these hospitals are funded by government, but space has continued for some active fundraising. This timeline of over 100 years of fundraising for healthcare shows these developments from pre-1948, to the early decades of the NHS, right up to fundraising around the NHS’ 75th birthday in 2023. Explore how the language and imagery of fundraising campaigns and appeals have changed, and notice some of the ways they have stayed the same.

Before the NHS (pre-1948)
The first 50 Years (1948-1997)
The recent NHS (1998-2023)

Before the NHS (pre-1948)

Before the NHS was introduced, many hospitals in the UK were established through the efforts and contributions of communities, doctors, and philanthropic gifts. They remained reliant on fundraising efforts, though as donations fluctuated over time with economic and political context, they also began to receive income from patient payments, investments, subscriptions, and contributory schemes.

1851

Appeal for Foundation of Hospital for Sick Children

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1902

A reproduction of a poster for the King Edward’s Hospital Fund for London. The poster is in black and white. On it are painted adults and children holding up coins and queueing to put their coins in a dish. The dish is guarded by a policeman pointing to the dish, and an angel. The text reads ‘Coronation Gift to the King, King Edward’s Hospital Fund for London’. In the middle of the poster, names have been handwritten with an amount of money (indicative of how much they have donated) written next to each name.

Coronation Appeal for King Edward’s Hospital Fund for London

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1917

A reproduction of a poster advertising a fundraising event to support the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The poster shows a colourful drawing depicting a festival, with a group of women dancing around a maypole, a violin player, and two men drinking beer. Below this image, there is text that says: “In aid of the Royal Sussex County Hospital. 16 November ‘17, in the Dome & Corn Exchange, Brighton. Opening on the first day at 2.30 by H. R. H. Princess Alice Countess of Athlone, and on the second day at 2.30 by the Lady Leconfield. Admission: 2 – 10pm, 1’. Members of the Blue Bird Brigade – Free”.

Merrie Merrie England – Fundraising fairs, bazaars, and fetes

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1921

A photograph of two sheet music pages from the “All for Bart’s Fox Trot Song.” The cover page shows a drawing of a nurse with one hand raised in a triumphant gesture, and holding a small bucket in which to collect donations with the other. Text on the cover page states that “Proceeds of the sale of this Fox-Trot go to the funds of St Bartholomew’s Hospital”.

Fleet Street Week for Barts

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1922

A reproduction of a poster advertising the Hospitals of London Combined Appeal. The poster shows a drawing of an angelic, female figure, standing in front of a hospital ward scene, depicting patients in hospital beds and a cheerful nurse walking in the ward. Large letters at the top of the of the poster say: “Save your hospitals!” Below the drawing of the hospital ward scene, there is text that says: “Pay donations to any bank, town hall, council house, or the Hospitals of London Combined Appeal. 19 Berkeley St. London. W1.” The bottom right corner features the autograph of J.H. Ball who designed the poster.

Hospitals of London Combined Appeal

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1929

Promotion for a production of the play Peter Pan. The poster is all black text on a white background. The page is split into three sections. The top and bottom are continuous text about the Hospital for Sick Children and its current need for funds. The middle section is an advertisement for a production of Peter Pan. This middle section reads: "The Danial Mayer Company present Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie with Jean Forbes-Robertson and George Curzon. The play produced by arrangement with the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London." The rest of the page reads as follows: "The Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1. Recovery Branch Hospital: Tadworth, Surrey. Patrons: Their Majesties the King and Queen. By the gracious gift of Sir James Barrie this is now Peter Pan's own Hospital, and thus everything about it interests those who love "the boy who never grew up." So here is some special and particular news about the Hospital. It has grown too big for its house and as we cannot make the Hospital smaller we have to make the house bigger and better. We don't want to say hard things about the present buildings, but they are simply not good enough. For instance, sunlight is such a wonderful Doctor that we have to learn to bottle it and use it to cure sick children when the real thing cannot be got. Now it is sad but true to say that in our Hospital there are Wards that rarely, if ever, see the sun so that one of the best Doctors in the world - Doctor Sunlight, doesn't get a chance. In the new hospital every Ward will be flooded with sunlight and this will be a marvellous blessing. Now about another matter. We have a wonderful staff of nurses who love and care for sick little children. They have to live in and don't you agree they should have a house where they would have reasonable comfort? Well, they haven't got it at present so they must have a new nurses' house. And one thing more. We are trying to find out the causes of children's diseases so that we may kill them before they have a chance to kill little children. The doctors who are doing this great work are hindered in their efforts all the time because of the very limited space at their disposal. And so a new place must be built for them. Now all these changes will cost a lot of money. But because it will help us to relieve the pain and save the lives of little children we believe that children who are well and happy and grown ups too will help us by sending a gift. If you can only spare a little, never mind - every little helps - and so please send it along for the Reconstruction Fund, addressed to Peter Pan, care of Lord Macmillan, at the Hospital."

J.M. Barrie gifts Peter Pan rights to Great Ormond Street Hospital

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1931

Letter written by a child in 1931 as part of Kingston Victoria Hospital Appeal Week. A photo of the child in black and white is featured in the bottom right corner of the page, next to a child’s drawing of a stick person. The whole letter is in black and white apart from the words ‘Appeal Week’ at the top of the page which are in red. The letter is written in capital letters and has many spelling mistakes. The letter reads: Dear everybody, I am one of those lots and lots of little kiddies who have been in the Victoria hospital. I am well and jolly again because of the patience and loving care the nurses gave to me. I was very ill but they never got tired or impatient. It’s just the same in the ward for daddies and mummies and other big people. If you are portent people there is private wards and you can pay to be lonely. I should not like it but some do. There is something to please everybody. The man who took my picture said they was worried because there was not enough money to pay the bills and the old X Ray nearly won’t work. This shows your bones when they are broke. I said I would see about it when I was better and I am better and so will you please give some money so they needn’t worry anymore and can go on making little ones and grown ups happy and well again like me. That’s me in the corner but not for being naughty. Yours hopefully, Vic. P.S. I forgot to say Thank you.

Kingston Victoria Hospital Appeal Week

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1936

A reproduction of an appeal leaflet for The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, “Reprinted from ‘The Scotsman,’ Tuesday August 25, 1936.” The first sentence on the leaflet says, in large, bold letters: “Two Hundred Years Ago.” The rest of text says: “On 25th August 1736 His Majesty King George II granted the Infirmary its Charter. At that time the cost of maintenance was £100 – per annum – today it is £160,000 – per annum. Funds are most urgently needed both for General Maintenance and for the many Extensions at present in progress – the chief of which are: – 1. A New Maternity Block. 2. A New Home for Nurses. 3. Special X-Ray and Radium Apparatus for the treatment of Cancer. Please assist this great National House of Healing by sending a contribution to The Treasurer, who will most gratefully acknowledge it. [Signed] Henry Maw, Secretary and Treasurer.” The words National House of Healing are in bold.

Appeal for Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

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1937

A reproduction of a poster for the Annie McCall Maternity Hospital appeal in September 1937, inviting people to donate to the hospital fund. The text on the page says: “Annie McCall Maternity Hospital needs £30,000. This hospital was started in 1885 by Dr. McCall when there were only 180 Maternity beds in London (apart from workhouse wards) and is appealing to the public for financial help and interest. The special claims of the hospital are as follows: 1. It is run entirely by women for women. 2. It has a well known record for low record of maternal mortality, 1.6 per 1,000. 3. It trains women of all classes and races to work in all parts of the world. 4. It provides a nucleus for post graduate work in Midwifery for Medical Women and for Nurses, for which there is an urgent demand. The pressing needs of the hospital are as follows: 1. A new Ante-natal and Child Welfare Department. 2. A well equipped Operating Theatre. 3. Improved accommodation for the nurses and the domestic staff. The Ante-Natal and Child Welfare work has been carried on in the same house for 50 years. This accommodation is now inadequate and funds are urgently needed to build new premises. The site is owned by the Hospital and is immediately available for building upon. We only wait for the money – please help us to raise it. Donations and subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Treasurer, Sir Henry Dixon Kimber, at Annie Mccall Maternity Hospital, Jeffreys Road, London, S. W. 4.”

Annie McCall Maternity Hospital Appeal

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1938

A reproduction of a ‘Pound Day’ appeal leaflet for the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The text on the poster says: “Royal Sussex County Hospital. Pound Day. St. Valentine’s Day. Monday, 14th February 1938. Pounds in money or kind will be gladly received by: The Mayoress of Brighton (Mrs. Ralph Hone) at the Hospital, which will be open to Visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Mayoress of Hove (Mrs. A. W. Hillman) at Hove Town Hall. The Rev. And Mrs. W. J. R. Allen, at The Good Shepherd Church Hall. Mr. J. Thorton Rickman and Helpers, at St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall. Please send a ‘Valentine’ to your County Hospital.”

Royal Sussex County Hospital Pound Day

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The NHS’s First 50 Years (1948-1997)

Following the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948, core hospital costs were now centrally funded. Charitable provision significantly reduced. However, some scope remained for charitable fundraising. The amount and scale of fundraising campaigns in the NHS grew considerably following the Health Services Act of 1982 which officially permitted NHS bodies to engage in fundraising.

1948

A photograph of a leaflet given to the public, announcing the establishment of the NHS. The text says: “The National Health Service. Your new National Health Service begins on 5th July. What is it? How do you get it? It will provide you with all medical, dental, and nursing care. Everyone – rich or poor, man, woman, or child – can use it or any part of it. There are no charges, except for a few special items. There are no insurance qualifications. but it is not a ‘charity’. You are all paying for it, mainly as taxpayers, and it will relieve your money worries in times of illness."

Establishment of the NHS

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1958

A photograph of a newspaper clipping. The title of the news story says, in large, bold letters: “They’ve bought a hospital.” The story says: “Miss Dorothy Woods (above) yesterday became the first matron of the first ‘private - enterprise’ hospital in Britain since the National Health Service began in 1948. The hospital is the New Victoria Hospital at Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey. It was opened yesterday by the Duchess of Sutherland. To buy and equip the hospital cost £30,000. This money was raised by contributions from all parts of the world. Part of the running costs of £12,000 a year will come from local collections. The hospital authorities hope that contributions from other parts of Britain will raise the rest. Apart from two private beds the hospital will be free to patients. And local doctors will work there without pay.” In this clipping, the word first is capitalised in both uses.

New Victoria Hospital is opened – the first and only voluntary hospital established after 1948

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1960s

A reproduction of a poster depicting a black and white image of Guy’s Hospital Tower, with imagery of an urban landscape in the background.

Building of Guy’s Tower

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1977

An image depicting the front cover of an order of service for the "Centenary Thanksgiving Service and Annual Gift Day". The cover is green, and text in black. Text at the top middle of the page states the charity name (League of Friends of Mildmay Mission Hospital) and the address (Hackney Road, London, E2 7NA). Below this, in the centre of the page, is an emblem. This is a circular medal, bordered by the text "He sent them to preach and heal the seal", with text below in a banner that reads "Founded 1877". Underneath, in capital letters and bold text, reads the title of the service and date (1st October, 1977).

Mildmay Mission Hospital Centenary

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1984

A newspaper clipping, titled "Pupils take note of Sir Charles". Below the title is a black and white image of children playing instruments and reading sheet music in front of a conductor. The text below describes the event. In sum, Purcell Music School pupils rehearsed with Sir Charles Groves for their upcoming concerts. This was to become an annual event. Sir Charles led the first orchestra through Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, and the children were performing this at an event in November to raise money for Tadworth Court Children's Hospital. The second orchestra, also led by Sir Charles were performing Bach's Brandenburg Concerto later in November. Both groups were joined by Sir Charles for tea after the rehearsals.

Tadworth Court Hospital transfers from NHS to Charity

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1984

A photograph of the front of a leaflet. The middle of the leaflet has a black and white drawing of a building surrounded by trees and bushes. Above this, in bold grey text, reads "Research And Teaching Centre". Below the drawing, in bold grey text, reads "Appeal by The League of Friends; The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham". At the top left of the page, in faint pencil, is the archive reference.

Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham Appeal

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1987

Reproduction of a poster used during the Wishing Well Appeal. The page is split into thirds. The top third has black text on a white background. In large font, the text reads Great Ormond Street needs your blood (Actually a donation would do)." The middle third of the page is a large black and white photograph of the hospital building. To the left of the hospital is a drawing of a drip stand - a metal pole from which a back of blood is hung. The blood bag is drawn in red, and the tube coming from the bag is drawn attached to the hospital building, thus implying the hospital is receiving a blood donation. The bottom third of the page is black text on a white background. The text is organised in bullet points - each bullet symbol is a blue teardrop as used in the logo of the appeal. The text reads: "Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital must have an injection of cash. It needs to raise over £72 million for re-building works. About £30 is being given by the NHS. It still needs to raise £42 million from donations." The very bottom of the page reads: "The Wishing Well Appeal. Patrons: TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales."

Wishing Well Appeal for Great Ormond Street Hospital

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1991

A reproduction of a poster advertising 'The Greatest Ceilidh Ever" – a dance for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. It is black text on a bright orange background. The image states that the dance requires 23,094 attendees in order to break the world record for 'Biggest Dance Ever'. The address, date, and time are given. The poster has a Freshers Week logo on the top left-hand side (a face with sunglasses and a sombrero) and a drawing on the top right-hand side (a child holding a teddy bear, wearing pyjamas, writing the word 'help' in crayon).

Edinburgh Sick Kids Appeal

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1995

An image of The Grand Appeal logo featuring popular British animated characters Wallace and Gromit (a man and a dog) both giving a thumbs up. Wallace (the man) has his arm around Gromit's (the dog) shoulder. The logo is round with the two characters in a blue circle. The text around the outside reads "The Bristol Children's Hospital Charity, The Grand Appeal, Est. 1995".

Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal for Bristol Children’s Hospital

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The Recent NHS (1998-2023)

Since the late 1990s and early 2000s, a lot of charitable giving has shifted from in-person to digital. With the introduction of online fundraising platforms like JustGiving, the proliferation of household computers and smartphones, and the development of social media, giving has gone online. This has made giving quicker and more accessible at a time marked by government debt and cuts to public expenditure.

2000

A reproduction of a poster for a gala charity auction by Christie’s auction house, featuring a black and white photo of singer Dame Shirley Bassey, dressed in a sparkling dress and standing by a microphone. The text on the poster reads: “Christie’s. Dame Shirley Bassey. 50 years of Glittering Gowns. A Gala Charity Event Auction. Thursday 18th September 2003.”

Noah’s Ark Appeal for Wales Children’s Hospital

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2001

The front cover of a leaflet. In the centre is a painting of the front of a large, yellow building on a blue background. The building has 18 windows split over 5 floors, and one archway on the ground floor in the centre. The archway and each window have people stood in them, with some waving and some holding balloons. Above and below the painting are thick, plum-coloured borders with white text. The border above the painting states "The Lord Mayor's Appeal 2001, Barts Cancer Centre of Excellence". The border below the painting states "A vision for the future".

Lord Mayor’s Appeal for Barts

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2018

An image of a cartoon blue tea cup with the letters “big 7 Tea” written on it.

NHS Charities Together launches ‘Big Tea’ event, in celebration of the NHS’s 70th ‘birthday’

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2020

A reproduction of a fundraising appeal poster from NHS Charities Together. The poster features the photograph of a male medical professional wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) including a face mask, a hair net, and blue rubber gloves. The text on the poster says: “Who cares for the heroes? You can. Your donations help provide essential support for our amazing NHS staff and volunteers. Donate Now.” The words donate now are in capital letters. The bottom right of the poster includes the logos of NHS Charities Together and their Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.

NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal

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2020

A photograph of a large textile banner hanging between a tree and a lamp post. The banner features the image of a rainbow and a heart, with the letters: “Thank you NHS.”

Rainbows begin to be associated with the NHS

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2022

A drawing of a statue of a rainbow in a park, with a man, a woman and a child standing by it. On the bottom right corner of the drawing, there are seven cartoon hearts, each a different colour of the rainbow.

Hearts for Doncaster campaign

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2023

A reproduction of a poster advertising a fundraising event organised by the Friends of Insch Hospital and Community. The poster has a light grey background, and has four rows of three cartoon images of strawberries lined on one another. Large, red text on the left side of the poster says: “Strawberry Fair 2023.” The rest of the poster says: “Sunday 11th June. 12 noon – 4.30pm. Insch Hospital. Free entry. Afternoon teas. Pipe band. Strathbogie fiddlers. Stalls. Strawberries and Mackies ice cream. Inflatable fun from RM Leisure. Balloon Mannies. Bumper carz. Devine magic. Children’s activity area. The Critter Keeper. Dunnydeer Hill Race. Pimss. BBQ. And much, much more!”

Friends of Insch Hospital and the Community

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2023

A reproduction of a poster advertising a fundraising event organised by Kingston Hospitals Charity, as part of the celebrations for 75th Anniversary of the NHS. The poster has a light yellow background and text advertising the name of the event, which is called: “Ride for 75.” There is a cartoon drawing of a woman riding a bicycle, and a QR code on the right bottom corner of the poster. The text on the rest of the poster says: “Join us to ride 75 miles to celebrate the 75th birthday of the NHS. Helps us raise vital money for a new secure bike storage facility for staff at Kingston Hospital. Scan the QR code to find out more and donate. Supported by: Epsom Cycling Club, Kingston Wheelers, London Dynamo, New Malden Velo, Surrey Cycle Club, Velosport Cycling Club, Waldy Wheelers.”

75th anniversary of the NHS

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he Recent NHS (1998-2023

Thank you for visiting our timeline on fundraising in the NHS. If there is something you would like added to the timeline, please get in touch: v.close@bham.ac.uk.