On Wednesday 26 March 1862, George Peabody's letter announcing the establishment of the Peabody Donation Fund to "relieve the poor and needy of this great city, and to promote their comfort and happiness", appeared in The Times.
"We have today to announce an act of beneficence unexampled in its largeness and in the time and manner of the gift," reported the paper.
The amount donated was to be £150,000. Later George Peabody increased this gift to £500,000.
Stephen Howlett, Peabody's chief executive, said, "It’s now two years to our 150th anniversary and we are already planning celebrations involving our residents, London and the world!"
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