Herbert Lee Jackson Jones was born in Runcorn in 1868. He was educated at Liverpool College, becoming proficient in art and wood engraving. Although he’d given thought to a career in the church, he gave this up to devote his life to philanthropy, funding the ‘Liverpool Food Association’ in 1893, soon to be renamed the ‘Food and Betterment Association’ and then ‘The League of Welldoers’ in 1909.
From the earliest days his band of helpers were based in Limekiln Lane, right amongst those who he strove to serve. When it was known, in October 1936, that Jones was dying, crowds knelt outside the front corner of the building, praying for their true friend and benefactor.
The front of the building was destroyed in the May 1941 blitz and only rebuilt in 1952. The figures above the door, dated 1953, are by M. Newton.
