The Hospital for Sick Children first opened it doors at 49 Great Ormond Street on Valentine's Day, 1852, with ten beds. Dr Charles West was the driving force behind its opening, driven by the shockingly high level of infant mortality in the capital.
The first in-patient was Eliza Armstrong from Lisson Grove, suffering from Phthisis & Bronchitis. The first child admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital as an out-patient was two-year-old George Parr, who had catarrh and diarrhoea - not serious by today's standards, but this was a time when one third of children born in London died before adulthood.
Celebrity support
The new hospital quickly attracted public support. Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens and author JM Barrie, who donated the copyright to his famous play Peter Pan, were among the first to pledge their help. Celebrities continue to give their time and support to the hospital - recent visitors to the wards include Cat Deeley and Chris Eubank.
Major supporters
Many companies gave generously, as did wealthy individuals in their wills, and wards were named after benefactors – the Gas Light & Coke Company Ward, and the Annie Zunz Ward, for example. GOSH also encouraged donors to sponsor the children's iron cots, and three were sponsored by a popular children’s paper, Aunt Judy.
Fundraising dinners
Fundraising dinners were a major part of the hospital's early fundraising activity - Charles Dickens' rousing speech at the Freemasons' Hall in 1858 pulled in over £3,000, enough to buy the house next door and double the hospital's bed spaces.
World War II
When GOSH was bombed during the war, fundraisers sold matchboxes full of the rubble, and circulated a 'bomb book' here and abroad, which supporters could sign. This book was signed by the British and American cabinets, members of the Royal Family, and most of the big names in Hollywood.
Wishing Well Appeal
The Wishing Well Appeal was launched in 1987 to redevelop the hospital, and build parental accommodation and a cardiac wing. The now familiar teardrop logo was created, and the slogan 'help Great Ormond Street get better' struck a chord with people across the country, who gave generously. The Prince and Princess of Wales were joint patrons of the Appeal, and it was hugely successful, raising £54 million in just two years. It funded the new Variety Club building which opened in 1994.
150th Anniversary
In 2002, the hospital celebrated its 150th anniversary with a year of commemorative and fundraising events, kicked off by Victoria Beckham, HM The Queen and Prime Minister Blair.
