Sunny Smiles

[Bbbananas]

Can anyone remember (more likely the girls, coz it wasn't really a boy-thing) in the 70's or thereabouts, little books of black & white photographs, mainly of black babies & toddlers, whereby you 'paid' for the photograph & the money went to some children's charity? Save the Children or some Child Poverty charity. The books themselves were called 'sunny smiles'.

I used to buy the ones of the babies with gummy smiles and no hair, or the ugly-looking things, coz I thought all the money would go to the cute pretty kids.

[dot.hawkes]

yes we use dto get those from school every year and we had to sell each picture to our friends and family. The money we collected went to local children';s charities. It was about 2d each picture.

It went on for quite a few years and then we started getting little self assembly boxes to take home during lent and collect our unbspent pocket money. I think those books were also distributed dueing lent.

[Bbbananas]

They're the ones Dot! Some of those kids were so sweet, I think we were naive enough in those days to really think the money was going directly to each individual baby - but what did it matter as long as it did reach the charity?

I think it's a pity that scheme is not still going - I'm sure it stopped years ago.

[Ethel]

These started in the 1940s to support the National Childrens' Home charity.

Schools, Brownies, Guides and Scouts were all involved in selling these to raise money.

If I remember correctly you could buy individual photos originally, and the photos were of children living in the homes.

[Bbbananas]

That's right Ethel. I didn't realise it had been going on since the 1940's though.

I supose in this day & age it wouldn't be thought of as P.C. to 'buy' children or even to give out books of children's photos - even though they were innocent, mostly head-and-shoulder shots. How sad.

[Ethel]

It was an excellent way of making children involved and aware of 'less fortunate' children

Do you remember the relatively recent campaign advertising individual children who were in need of a family? A photo of the child, a description listing their problems, likes and dislikes and a little message from the child ..'I want a new mummy and daddy because....'

I wasn't too sure how I felt about those, to be honest

[markgem]

remember those little books in the 70s ,think they were called Sunny Smiles.

[Bbbananas]

eerrr yes, markgem. Haven't you actually read any of the above? Bless you, I'd give you a shilling for your picture ;-)

[suzannewozere2]

http://www.sheffieldf...index.php/t-6488.html
More info on here, I would love to find a picture of one for a retro website I plan.