The first Hero Fund, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, was established in America in 1904 after a colliery disaster near Carnegie's adopted home of Pittsburgh when 181 men, including two who gave their lives in rescue attempts, were killed in an explosion at the Harwick Colliery. In these days, when a family lost the breadwinner, some barely survived. When Andrew Carnegie heard of this tragedy, he immediately donated the sum of $50,000 thus doubling the amount raised by public subscription. He described the Hero Fund as ".. my ain bairn" and later wrote: "It (the Fund) has proved from every point of view a decided success."
The Carnegie Hero Fund Trust was established in Britain in 1908 and was soon followed by nine Funds on the European continent: France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The continuing aim of the British Carnegie Hero Fund Trust is to recognise heroism and give financial assistance, where necessary, to people who have been injured or to the dependants of people who have been killed in attempting to save another human life. Its geographical area is Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the surrounding territorial waters. Each year the Trust considers around a dozen cases.
Once a case is recognised as falling within the scope of the Trust, the name of the hero or heroine is added to the Roll of Honour and an initial grant is made. The Trustees then consider whether or not continued financial assistance is required by the rescuer or his/her family. They are also very aware that Carnegie meant the Trust to provide more than money and they try to build up a relationship of mutual confidence and personal knowledge between the Trust and its beneficiaries.
Since 1908 the names of over 6,000 men, women and children have
been inscribed in the Trust's Roll of Honour which is on public
display at the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum in Dunfermline.
Although watches and other gifts were given in early years, the
Trust now makes only two awards - a Certificate and a Bronze Medallion.
The latter, its highest honour, is reserved for outstanding acts
of heroism, usually involving repeated or sustained endeavour. To
date only 174 medallions have been awarded.
