How we began
The Society can trace its beginnings to the City of London in the early 1890's, although it was not officially formed until 1901.
Dirty, untidy and shabbily dressed children, known as ragamuffins, frequented the streets of Victorian London and we know that some young City men (probably aged around thirty and mostly single) took a compassionate interest in their wellbeing. When they dined or drank together they would discuss cases of hardship they had come across. In those days personal charity was deemed a very real responsibility for those who wished to be seen as “gentlemen”.
At their frequent meetings, it became accepted practice to make a contribution to help alleviate the misery of the most distressing cases presented. In other words, they combined their friendship with charity. This was an attractive idea, so other people joined them and the Society began to grow.
The Society’s motto is
"Amitié et Charité"
“Friendship and Charity”
We do not know which of the founder members came up with this motto, or why he chose to put it in French. Perhaps it just sounded more sophisticated!
The Ragamuffins today
The concept of the Society remains much the same today as it was over 125 years ago. There have been a few changes in our approach but not to our principles.
Over the decades we have built up a healthy investment portfolio, which provides the regular income to fund our annual grants programme. Our members pay an annual subscription which supplements these funds.
Members are encouraged to initiate their own fundraising initiatives of different kinds. We also welcome individual or corporate sponsorship, and we are grateful for the many generous contributions we have received in recent years.
Deserving cases are brought to our attention by intermediaries such as social workers, teachers or other professional people. They apply for grants on behalf of the families who need help. Any member of the Ragamuffins may also identify and present cases directly, just as the original members did. We still believe that personal charity is something to aspire to.
When funds permit, we implement a “President’s Project” - a grant of £2,000 or more given to an organisation which we consider to be doing exceptional work to support children and young people. Recent recipients of this grant have included Clapton Sea Cadets, Body and Soul Charity, Ebony Horse Club and Hackney Quest.
So the tradition of the charity continues - and so does the friendship. We still meet for informal “tavern evenings” several times a year, usually at traditional London hostelries, some of which our founders may well have visited. We hold an annual fundraising Gala Dinner at a London club or other prestigious venue. We also organise occasional cultural events or visits to places of interest.
Members who want to play a more active role in the Society can join our Council, which meets (and dines) every two months, to review finances, discuss grants and plan activities.