On This Day, 2 June 1917

Birmingham Daily Gazette

Saturday 2 June 1917

“HUT WEEK” OPENS

£25,000 TO BE RAISED IN BIRMINGHAM

A comprehensive campaign, embracing a variety of activities, begins in Birmingham and the district today, to secure financial support for the Y.M.C.A. A big effort is being made to raise at least £25,000 from the city and district, and what is known as “Hut Week” opens today with a street collection, when a small army of workers will offer tokens in the shape of the familiar red triangle and bearing a small picture of a Y.M.C.A hut.

By a national effort it is hoped to raise half a million pounds. There is an urgent and pressing need for money, the head quarters’ banking account being already overdrawn to the extent of £125,000.

The object of the Hut Week is to inform all classes of Birmingham and district of the variety and extent of the work performed in all the war zones. A large and influential meeting of business men will be held, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, at the Grand Hotel on Monday afternoon, and short addresses will be given at different works during the course of the week. In addition to donations from gentlemen and firms, arrangements have been made for works collections, house-to-house collections, post appeal, collections in churches of all denominations, as well as appeals at cinemas and other places of amusement.

The initial response to the appeal issued has been very satisfactory, about £5,500 having been promised.