George Frideric Handels Will, codicil three, 1757 © Gerald Coke Handel Foundation

The composer George Frideric Handel was invaluable to the Foundling Hospital's fundraising efforts. In 1750 he conducted his first benefit concert of Messiah in the Hospital's Chapel. The event was so oversubscribed that influential supporters had to be turned away. To alleviate embarassment Handel repeated the performance two weeks later. He was subsequently made a Governor of the Hospital and concerts of Messiah became annual events, with Handel conducting every performance. He left a fair copy of the score and orchestral parts of Messiah to the Hospital in his will, so that the charity could continue to benefit from the concerts after his death.