A Christmas Appeal [SSM21_1927]

Abstract

Newspaper article from the Lancashire Daily Post. Transcript below:

WORK OF THE SHEPHERD-ST. MISSION AT PRESTON
A HOME FOR FORTY HOMELESS CHILDREN
Preston Shepherd Street Mission, founded and established by the self-sacrificing labours of the late Mr. J. Williamson and his devoted wife, who literally spent themselves and all their resources for the uplifting of the poor of the town, is intrinsically one of the most practical and praiseworthy of the many philanthropic institutions of Preston. From its first inception the readers of the “Lancashire Daily Post” have rallied to the help of the workers of this mission at Christmas time by subscribing to a special fund which raises a substantial sum to help the many activities of the Mission.
This year there is a special need for a “big push,” owing to the recent heavy and extraordinary claims on the generosity of the public in consequence of flood and storm damage.
There are, at the present time, 40 children in the well-equipped home of the Mission in Oxford-street, which has always been regarded as the principal work of the Mission. It is here that hundreds if boys and girls, who are now useful citizens, have received care and training that has formed a firm foundation for the future; and amongst the most treasured possessions of every superintendent are letters from old boys and girls to the “Home” always full of gratitude and often of practical help for others.
Last year, which was the jubilee year of the Mission, some extensions were carried out to the home in Oxford-street, providing additional accommodation for 20 beds for boys, and this has meant an increase in the responsibilities of the devoted band of workers who make themselves responsible for the home’s maintenance. These, however, have every faith in the local public, who, they know, look upon “Shepherd street” as a poor relation whom they have given a promise to see all right. The old policy of never turning away a deserving case is being continued, notwithstanding the effect of the difficult times through which we have been passing. The need is urgent and claims have multiplied, but the committee know that the Preston public will not let them down.
A CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST
The free breakfast on Christmas morning has always roused the special interest of our readers. A thousand of the poorest children of the town, provided with tickets distributed by school teachers, mission workers and others who know where the greatest need lies, are feasted on Christmas morning at the Mission Hall, where they are attended by a host of willing workers, all are well filled with good things and sent away rejoicing, loaded with paper bags of fruit and other things dear to the hearts of children, and grasping a toy plucked from the big Christmas tree and put into the hands of each of the bairns by Father Christmas himself.
Amongst the many activities of the Mission are the shelter for homeless men and the services in the Mission Hall. The Mission throughout is non-sectarian, and the only qualification for help is need.
NEW SUPERINTENDENT
By the recent death of Mr. George Harrison, whose whole-hearted work for the Police Poor Children’s Fund (before he retired from his office of Superintendent of Police) had well fitted for the superintendency of the home, the Mission has lost a worthy successor of it’s single-hearted founder. The successor appointed by the committee (Mf. F. E. Chadwick) has had…