Rev. (later Canon) Desmond O’Neill was appointed by the Bishop of Lancaster as Administrator of the Charity. He was a key figure, remembered for his compassion and determination to help young people transition into adulthood, especially as they left St. Vincent’s at age 14 for work. Amongst others, one former resident later reflected on how Canon O’Neill’s personal support made a lasting impact on his life: ‘He always had time for you and could usually make things happen.’