The Gaddum Family

Today we turn to look at a family who have represented and supported the Together Trust since 1902. When a family is associated for over a hundred years with a charity it is impossible to highlight all the work different individuals have partaken in within one small blog. With two chairmen, trustees, committee members and numerous donators, the family have been at the core of the charity’s success over the last 143 years. 

So we may as well start at the beginning with the first association of Mr. Henry Theodore Gaddum who took the position of Trustee from 1902-1906. His son Harry E. Gaddum followed in his father’s footsteps in 1911 having already been a Committee Member from 1904. Before this he had taken a more practical interest in the charity’s work. In 1920 he became the first member of the family to chair the Committee.

Mr. Harry E. Gaddum

Of course this was an age of philanthropy and individuals were involved in various different charities and hospitals. Harry was no exception. In July 1936 "Gaddum House¨ was opened in Queen Street, Manchester and named after him as President of the Society. This was established to provide a centre for voluntary societies and a meeting place for social workers. 

On his death in 1940 the charity recorded in its annual report:

“By Mr. Gaddum’s death, in May, 1940, the Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges lost one of its most inspiring and devoted honorary workers. It is impossible to estimate the tremendous influence he had in everyone with whom he came into contact. His desire to help humanity amounted to a passion, and the obvious delight he took in devoted and selfless service was a constant inspiration to those who were his colleagues.”

Henry and Harry weren't the only Gaddums with prominent roles within the organisation but we'll leave those stories for another day.