An open meeting for interested parties was convened and a Steering Committee set up to pave the way for the new organisation. In May 1970, after a period of consultation, the Committee approached the the London Borough of Islington for support. The Council debated this proposal in September 1970 and agreed to give its support. But the hard work had just begun. As Rev R E Simpson, our Chairman, wrote (with a set of marvellous mixed metaphors) in ICSS’s first annual report in 1972: “Drawing up an attractive Budget is one thing, raising the wind is another; and new- born babies cannot survive simply on abstract statistics; they need actual pounds and pence.” Celebrating 50 Years of Service 7