Did you know that one of the most famous charity names in
the world has a strong Orange connection?
Dr. Thomas Barnardo, founder of Barnardo Homes, was an Orangeman
in his native Dublin.
Having moved to London, Thomas Barnardo was horrified when
he saw conditions for children in the East End of London in
the 19th century.
He set up homes to give them a better life and embarked on
an unbelievable campaign, writing, speaking and fund-raising.
At one point he was writing an average of 1,000 letters per
week - in an era when there were no computers.
Brother Dr. Thomas Barnardo, who had founded his famous charity
by the time he was 25 years old, died at the age of 60 in
1905 - a century ago.
But his legacy lives on, and his vision has helped create
a better life for countless young people across the United
Kingdom.
In all of this, of course, the moral teachings and fraternal
sense of the Orange Institution must have had a certain influence.
|
