History

History of the Gurney Fund

The exact details of the kindness shown by an unnamed Victorian Police Officer to the young Catherine Gurney seems now to be lost in the mists of history. But whatever that kindness, it so impressed the young Miss Gurney that she was moved to become benefactress to the Police Service, just as Aggie Weston was to the Royal Navy and Miss Sandes to the Army.

As far as we know, the Provincial Police Orphanage founded by Miss Gurney in Hove, Sussex, in 1890 as a branch of the practical work of the International Christian Police Association was the first attempt outside the Police Service to assist orphans and fatherless children of the Police.

It was a small beginning. With the help of local churches, the Home provided board, lodgings and what education it could, for as many of the eligible children in the large area served - the South, South Midlands and Wales - as could be accommodated in a ten roomed house. Most of the cost of upkeep was provided by friends of Miss Gurney.

Within ten years they were able to buy a larger house, with accommodation for about 30 children, Gatton Park, Redhill, Surrey and a few years later The Woodlands, Redhill, an estate of some 18 acres.

Catherine Gurney, O.B.E. died on 11th August 1930.

The Orphanage closed in 1947 and, with the changing social climate, the GURNEY FUND FOR POLICE ORPHANS was established. This enabled weekly allowances to be paid to mothers to ensure that the children remained in their own homes.

The Fund may also cover the children of a member of a subscribing Police Force who has retired on ill-health pension and in the opinion of the Trustees is substantially incapacitated from earning any living. The decision of the Trustees as to the degree of incapacity or support shall be final and binding.