Middlesex Victoria Fund , charity for the aid of prisoners

The Middlesex Victoria Fund was created by the Justices of the Middlesex Sessions in 1892, primarily to aid discharged prisoners and the wives and families of discharged prisoners convicted at the Middlesex Sessions.

The fund was administered by trustees, the first ones being Sir Ralph Littler Q.C., R. Loveland-Loveland, and Lieutenant Colonel Harfield. In addition two auditors were appointed at the Easter Sessions, when the funds accounts were presented to the Court. The Court could, at its discretion, direct that donations be sent to specified institutions. Subscriptions were collected from Middlesex Justices.

By the 1950's the fund no longer needed to collect subscriptions as it was felt that the income derived from investments was sufficient to meet all reasonable demands on the fund. It was the practice for the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Court to approve an application, usually from a probation officer, for a grant for a specific purpose in individual cases, for such things as arrears of rent and mortgage; removal expenses; recovery of clothes from pawnbrokers; or purchase of clothing for an expected child. Cheques were given to the probation officers to dispose of as they thought best. Grants were also occasionally made towards legal assistance in bastardy appeals.

While the main object of the fund was to render individual help, this assistance was usually given after various forms of Public Assistance had been exhausted and careful enquiries made.

The charity wound up its affairs in 2001 and transferred its remaining assets to the City of London Sheriffs' and Recorder's Fund.