Reedham Children’s Trust
Reedham Children’s Trust has been helping children for more than 170 years. They began in 1844 as an orphanage founded by the Reverend Dr Andrew Reed; after 100 years Reedham became a residential school, which closed in 1980.
Since then they have used their investment income to support vulnerable children by funding grants for their care and education at residential schools. They adapt their services as times change, always seeking the most relevant, innovative ways to meet the needs of vulnerable children.
Their mission is to help vulnerable children growing up in very difficult circumstances, whose families struggle to look after them. They do this typically by offering these children the chance to thrive and learn at a boarding school. Their support enables them to gain the stability and care they need to fulfil their potential and transform their life outcomes.
Reedham Children’s Trust has enjoyed the patronage of successive monarchs since Queen Victoria; Her Majesty The Queen has served as their patron since 1952, offering invaluable support.
For more information visit: www.reedhamchildrenstrust.org.uk
Richard Link, Vice-President and former Chairman of Reedham Children’s Trust, said: “Our participation with The Patron’s Lunch is recognition of the valued connection with Her Majesty, which has given our charity such encouragement to achieve high standards.
We are proud to have helped generations of young people gain the stability and care they need to fulfil their potential and transform their life outcomes. The success of our Old Scholars like George Kanetti is a testament to the value of the Reedham Children’s Trust.”
George’s Story
Please Click the video link below to view George’s Story
George Kanetti, a Reedham Old Scholar and Treasurer of the Reedham Old Scholars’ Association (ROSA), began boarding at Reedham in 1963 and thrived, becoming a school prefect and then Head Boy. He was even featured in a fundraising film for Reedham and for many years was proudly referred to as ‘the face of Reedham’.
While at Reedham, George met his wife to be, Denise. They married in 1978 and have two daughters. Reedham also prepared George for a successful career across the public and private sectors.
He says: “I have been grateful to Reedham for many things during my life but none more so than my wife of nearly 40 years and the loving and very close family I now have; all of which without Reedham would not have happened.”
George remains an active advocate for Reedham: in addition to his role as Treasurer of ROSA he runs the ROSA website and produces a twice-yearly newsletter for the 250 Reedham alumni spread across the globe. He also gives talks to local history groups and participates in the Christmas collections with the Purley Rotary Club. He previously served as ROSA chairman and the editor of its annual magazine.
