International Women's Day 2024 - The ‘ordinary’ Christian woman who left an extraordinary legacy of love

International Womens’ Day 2024- The story of the woman who helped found Spurgeons  

Sunday is International Women’s Day- a celebration of womens’ achievements and importance in the world. This is an ideal occasion for us to commemorate the generosity and incredible legacy of Anne Hillyard. 

Anne Hillyard is the reason that Spurgeons exists today because of the financial backing she gave to our founder, preacher Charles Spurgeon, over 150 years ago.  

Inspired to create social change 

After reading one of Spurgeon’s articles in his magazine, The Sword and the Trowel, Anne felt compelled to help. She wrote a letter requesting a meeting that would set them on a united path to right some of the wrongs committed through the social injustices prevalent in London’s slums. 

With the sum of £20,000 (worth around £2.5 million today), Anne joined Spurgeon and a group of friends to found the Stockwell Orphanage.  Before its construction, she sold some of her household belongings, even the family silverware, to provide sanctuary to the first four orphan boys. 

At the opening ceremony of the orphanage, Spurgeon said of Anne’s generosity: ‘She has given it in the most unostentatious manner, desiring that her name should not be known, and I and my friends have dragged her into the light today contract to her wishes. She is a simple, earnest woman, who has devoted by far the largest portion of her property without asking honour from anyone. She only asks help to this great work. I hope to see not 200, but 2,000 boys in the orphanage.’ 

Within 10 years, there were 500 children living there, both girls and boys.  

Spurgeons today 

While the orphanages are a thing of the past, Spurgeons has continued it’s work with children and families to the present day. We now look to support the modern family through our family hubs, which offer assistance to families in a number of forms. We also work with families affected by imprisonment and help incarcerated youths to change their lives through our Boys2Men programme.

Our counselling services support children through in-person or online therapy, and we also offer counselling sessions in schools. Our parenting support services and online courses help parents navigate the stress and difficulties or family life, and our digital resources offer free advice for all.  

A legacy of compassion 

None of this work would have taken place without the life’s work of Spurgeon, and the generosity of Anne Hillyard. Their long-lasting legacy still benefits vulnerable children today. The care and concern that motivated and inspired Anne is still very much alive in all we do. 

Learn more about our heritage