In the spring of 1918, Lady Northcliffe, the wife of the founder of the Daily Mail newspaper, appealed for women to remember a loved one by donating a pearl from one of their necklaces in order to raise money. Capturing the imagination of the country, The Pearl Appeal went on to become one of the most successful fundraising campaigns of the war. The event raised over £94,000, roughly £5 million in today's money, and amongst the first to donate was Queen Alexandra, the Queen Mother, which soon encouraged many others to follow suit.
To mark 100 years since the original campaign, the British Red Cross is reviving its Pearls For Life Appeal to help support people in crisis throughout the world.
You can find out more about the British Red Cross Appeal by clicking here Pearls for Life Appeal
I recently came across this interesting book which explains the Pearls before Poppies appeal in more detail. It's definitely on my wish list!
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| The History Press March 2018 |
What's it all about..
Drawing on the archives of the Red Cross, Christie’s and the Victoria and Albert Museum, this book traces the story of the Red Cross Pearl Appeal throughout the eventful year of 1918. Interweaving the story of the campaign with the personal stories behind individual pearls this book provides a snapshot of a world that was changed forever by the war.
Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteYet something else you found I had never heard of! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. Glad I can still find interesting snippets for you !!
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