A family history dedicated to Charity Link
A family history dedicated to Charity Link
Caroline Wessel (née Gee) (b.1942) is a historian, published author and qualified musician; she has also been a trustee of Charity Link for 28 years! But it is not only Caroline who has been a dedicated champion of Charity Link - her Gee family has long-standing links with the charity going back four generations.
“I became a Trustee as, when my father, Harry Gee, retired as President of what was then Leicester Charity Organisation Society in 1997, he asked if I would like to become a trustee in his place to continue our family’s involvement. But this wasn’t my first connection with Charity Link, as I had volunteered for a short time when I was nineteen years old.”
Caroline, who is also Chairman of Trustees of Leicestershire & Rutland County Nursing Association (LRCNA), which gives substantial financial support to Charity Link and Charity Link clients, gets great satisfaction out of her involvement: “I really enjoy knowing that we are helping so many people suffering severe hardship. As Chairman of LRCNA, I read around 300 Charity Link anonymised client stories a year, so I have a vivid picture of what it is like for them and the difference Charity Link makes. In addition, the Charity Link Board of Trustees has always been a group of lovely, friendly people, but astute and dedicated too. I still get so much out of being involved. Charity Link is so special and very few charities, local or national, started up as long ago as 150 years.”
The future. “I’d love my family’s connection with Charity Link to continue long into the future, as that would be the fifth generation of Gees dedicated to the charity. I am hoping my granddaughter or cousin (the great-granddaughter of Percy Gee), may become involved. Watch this space!”
Caroline’s family association with Charity Link
Caroline’s great-grandfather, H. Simpson Gee (1842-1924)
In 1863 H.S. Gee came from Yorkshire to run the Leicester branch of the family business of Stead & Simpson. He built the retail side of the boot and shoe manufacturers to become the chief retailer in the country. He also founded the Leicestershire Banking Co. (later becoming the Midland, then HSBC). As the wealthiest man in late nineteenth-century Leicester, he was a generous philanthropist, supporting many charities and causes in Leicestershire. In 1910 he installed LCOS in a better office, himself defraying the cost of the extensive structural alterations, repairs and decoration. He frequently visited the office, familiarising himself with the whole running of the organisation. H. S. Gee married three times, being twice widowed, and had eight children.
Percy Gee (1874-1962), H. Simpson Gee’s son
Percy Gee was the second son of H. Simpson and Ella Gorham, who died when Percy was just nine years old. Percy joined the Stead & Simpson warehouse in 1893, moving up the ranks to become Managing Director from 1910-1944. On his father's death in 1924, he became Chairman of the Board until his own death in 1962. He also held senior positions in thirty-six Leicester organisations and charities during his lifetime, and played a major part in the new University College, founded by his brother-in-law Dr Astley Clarke. Percy had the honour of receiving the Freedom of the City of Leicester. He was Finance Secretary of Charity Link for over forty years between 1904 - 1961.
Harry Gee (1907-2001) Caroline’s father and Percy’s nephew
Harry was the only son of Ernest Gee (Percy’s brother), who was an accomplished musician, composer and pianist. He entered the Stead & Simpson family business, in due course becoming Chairman. He held roles in many Leicester organisations, including Chairman of the RSPCA’s Leicester branch, President of Leicester Philharmonic Choir, President of Leicester Chamber of Commerce and was the third generation of the Gee family to own Bagworth Colliery.
We would like to thank Caroline - and the family members who went before her - for their dedication and vital contribution to Charity Link’s work and impact.
Want to read more?
Read Caroline’s ‘125 years’ booklet, written to mark that special birthday (plus our update on the past 25 years)
Read Caroline’s new ‘Leicester in 1876’ booklet, written to mark our 150th birthday.
Do you have a connection to Charity Link (Leicester Charity Link, Leicester Charity Organisation Society)? If so, we’d love to hear from you: hello@charity-link.org
As we mark our 150th birthday in 2026, read the booklet created to mark our 125th birthday, with updates on the past 25 years, and a new booklet on Leicester in 1876.
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In 2026 it will be Charity Link’s 150th birthday of helping people in need. We’ve got lots planned to mark this historic milestone – and we’d love you to be part of our special year. Find out how what we are up to and how you can get involved!
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In 2026 Charity Link marks 150 years of helping people in need. During the year, we’ve got lots of activities taking place and many ways for you to get involved to help ensure we can support many more people facing hardship or crisis in the months and years ahead.
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We’ve been changing the lives of people in need in Leicester since 1876. Find out how we began and how our service has developed over the past 150 years!
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