Objects of the PCHA, "To hold out a helping hand to poor children in Newcastle and Gateshead; to relieve the noisy and dusty monotony of their town life by securing them one holiday a year on the Sands at Tynemouth; to give delicate children a three weeks' holiday in the country; to look after the street vendors and other children in the City, and to act as general mother as far as it was possible."

The Poor Children's Holiday Association based in the north east of England was founded by J.H. Watson and J.T. Lunn in 1891 and began by taking as many children as possible from urban areas for a day trip to the seaside at Tynemouth. Over the years the continued support of local people through their charitable donations allowed the charity to take sickly children on extended holidays to benefit from the fresh air. The PCHA later developed into the modern day charity Children North East.

Their funding and efforts lead to the establishment of the Philipson Farm Colony and Stannington Sanatorium but as well as caring for the children's physical wellbeing the PCHA was interested in poor children developing skills which would help them to create more secure and fulfilling lives. In the same vein the PCHA ran a number of other establishments including a Boys' Rescue Home in Newcastle, a Girls' Training Home at Shotley Bridge, and night shelters in Newcastle and Gateshead. They also ran a Street Vendors' Club from their head office on Percy Street which offered children the opportunity to earn a living through means other than selling things in the street.

The PCHA had started from small beginnings, with an annual income of just £28 in its first year, but quickly went from strength to strength and just 15 years later in 1905 had an annual income in excess of £3000 and properties valued at £24000. Across sites at Newcastle, Gateshead, Shotley Bridge, and Stannington at this time they had the facilities to accommodate over 300 children as well as continuing to provide non-residential care.

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