Our Founders

Leonard Cheshire was one of the most distinguished pilots of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. In 1948, after his discharge from the RAF on medical grounds, he set up a hospice in his own home – nursing and caring for the sick and dying. Later, this grew into the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity which lent support to the disabled throughout the world. In 1991 during his last visit he handed over the care of Raphael to Major General Ranbir (Rummy) Bakhshi, MC. Leonard Cheshire died in 1992.

Sue Ryder served with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II. She was closely associated with Polish service personnel operating behind enemy lines in German occupied Poland. After the War she was deeply involved in providing relief to the survivors of Nazi Concentration Camps and refugees in war torn Western Europe. She set up the Sue Ryder Foundation and The Lady Ryder Warsaw Memorial Trust to provide shelter to the homeless and disabled. Sue Ryder passed away in 2000.