We love our volunteers!

The Together Trust Cheadle Festival on Saturday was a huge success and to our great delight it (largely) stayed dry. As always much food was eaten, fun had on giant soapy inflatables and music filled the air (see some photos here from the day). Of course most of the success of the day was down to the hard working staff and volunteers that gave up their time to ensure the day went ahead as planned. As a charity the Together Trust relies on its volunteers. Whether this is through fundraising or participating in activities with the young people in our care, they are vital part of the organisation.

Volunteers at our Cheadle Festival, 2012

Of course the notion of volunteering is not a new concept. In some ways the birth of this charity, back on the 4th January 1870, was due to the volunteer work of two individuals, who wanted to help homeless children in the slum areas of Manchester.

As the charity grew and staff were needed to run the various homes, wages had to be paid. But there remained many people who came to help the charity for free, running local bazaars, collecting gifts and volunteering their free time. One section of society who this often applied to in the late nineteenth century was Manchester’s professionals.

Andrew Boutflower, Honorary Medical Officer

Leonard Shaw regularly recruited Manchester’s business men to help in his venture. Men like Andrew Boutflower, an eminent surgeon at the Salford Royal Hospital, regularly gave his time to the Refuge cause. In fact he visited the homes twice a week for fifty years, examining all admitted cases as well as superintending the health of the children.

Passing the doctor!

It was perhaps a mark of Shaw’s influence that the charity was recognised so highly during his life time and beyond, by eminent businessmen. Prominent names such as Sir. William Crossley (of Crossley Motors fame), Sir John Rylands (Cotton magnate and Manchester’s first multi millionaire), Oliver Heywood (famous English banker and philanthropist) and Henry Gaddum (a wealthy silk merchant) all gave their time and money regularly to the Refuges, becoming Committee Members, Trustees and Chairmen.

To them and all the other volunteers who have given up so much of their precious time to the charity over the years we salute you!

There are  lots of ways that you can get involved with the Together Trust today. We always have volunteering opportunities on our website - click here to find out more or email Sue Lewis to find out more.