Our Founder

‘[We] need to set our sights high, to be satisfied with nothing less than the best, and to commit ourselves totally and unreservedly to participate in the struggle to build a more liveable world.’ — LEONARD CHESHIRE

Leonard Cheshire was the son of Geoffrey Chevalier Cheshire , a barrister, academic and influential writer on English law. He had one brother, Christopher Cheshire, also a wartime pilot. Cheshire was born in Chester, but was brought up at his parents' home near Oxford. After learning basic piloting skills with the Oxford University Cheshire joined the RAF as a Pilot Officer. Group Captain Leonard Cheshire,  (7 September 1917 – 31 July 1992) was a highly decorated British RAF pilot during the Second World War.

Among the honours Cheshire received as a pilot is the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was the youngest Group Captain in the RAF and one of the most highly decorated pilots of the War but after serving as the British observer on the Nagasaki nuclear attack he resigned from the Air Force. He founded a hospice which grew into the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability and he became known for his work in conflict resolution; he was created Baron Cheshire in 1991 in recognition of his charitable work.

At the end of the conflict, Leonard realized that he was one of the lucky ones and was seized with a desire to make the world a better place. Many ventures failed until he received a call from a local hospital, asking if an acquaintance who was dying could come and live with him. This started a lifetime of humanitarian work with disabled people, fighting injustice and working towards a society in which everyone is equally valued.

‘In war Leonard Cheshire was a hero. In peace he served his nation no less well.’ — SIR JOHN MAJOR

Leonard Cheshire married Sue Ryder in 1959 and they made their home in the Suffolk village of Cavendish - although both spent much of the year away visiting their humanitarian projects around the world. Leonard was admitted to the Order of Merit in 1981 and made a life peer in the House of Lords in 1991. He took the title Baron Cheshire of Woodhall in the County of Lincolnshire, in memory of his time serving at RAF Woodhall Spa. Leonard died from the effects of motor neurone disease on 31 July 1992, at the age of 74.

By 1955, there were five homes in the UK and the first overseas project had begun outside Mumbai in India. The 1960's saw rapid expansion and by 1960 there were over 50 services in the UK, five in India and activities in 21 other countries around the world. Now well established as a pioneering provider of care services, Leonard Cheshire Disability began to diversify and the early 1970's saw it trialing a care in the community project on the UK south coast.