Friends of Leonard
Welcome to 100 Stories
A collection of stories about Leonard Cheshire, celebrating 100 years since his birth.
Leonard Cheshire played a part in enabling me to become the person I am…
While we may share some difficulties, we are all individuals with our own story…
I want to support them to live life to the full and do what they want to do…
Working with a team of like-minded people at Leonard Cheshire is a highlight of my job…
Through Leonard, I met extraordinary people, I experienced extraordinary courage, and above all, I came to know a man with a vision…
I wanted to change that perception…
I quickly discovered a deep rapport with this distinguished man…
He had the enviable knack of showing his appreciation without losing a shred of his authority or position…
They were both very intelligent, with quick humour, and into practical jokes…
He was, in his quiet way, warm and supportive…
My time at Leonard Cheshire showed me how to provide good support for each individual…
What Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC achieved during his time in Bomber Command is nothing short of miraculous…
I've changed and grown as a person…
Cheshire had climbed the outside of the tower at night…
Without Leonard Cheshire and the Bank Workers' charity, none of this would have happened…
His memory and his words inspire many volunteer leaders…
Leonard had that ability to listen, to connect, to engage…
I have been given the chance to learn, to be trained, to be supported. It's been an inspiring journey…
He listened with a concentration that made one feel one was the most important person…
It's incredibly satisfying seeing the difference we can make…
It was an indication of the kind of man that he was…
It has been amazing to work on a project that is potentially life-changing for the girls that we are able to support…
I clearly remember those precious weeks spent with some wonderful people…
Everything I have achieved today is because of Leonard Cheshire's livelihoods resource centre…
Leonard Cheshire has undergone a transformation…
Leonard Cheshire is someone I will never forget…
All this would not have been possible without Leonard Cheshire…
I'm like a Leonard Cheshire Disability stick of rock: it's written right through me…
I have great memories of all the past and present people who have used our services…
Irene was clutching her treasured framed photograph of that first meeting with the Prince in London…
He hesitatingly pushed open the monumental front door and walked into the silent hall and corridor…
Their physical nearness gave the atmosphere a gentle intimacy…
There was this serene aura of spirituality and strength that I remember well, and savour…
The serenity of his final interview should inspire us all…
My wife nudged me and whispered, 'I think that is Leonard Cheshire down at the front of the church'…
If I met Leonard Cheshire today I'd want to thank him for everything he's done…
I feel very honoured to have worked with Leonard…
Those ten years as a trustee were very special…
It was a privilege to work for Group Captain Cheshire…
He was charming, encouraging and very appreciative…
It was an honour to meet him…
What I learnt in those two weeks impacted me for the rest of my life…
The internship was an invaluable experience…
These pioneering films had made a massive contribution to the awareness of disability in society…
What a man: humble, persistent, fun loving and our friend…
Leonard Cheshire was a game changer for me…
I have worked with some amazing people over the years…
I had so looked forward to seeing him again…
With education we don't have any reason to face life without smiles…
It was fascinating when Leonard talked about things…
As soon as one session is over, they ask when the next one will be…
Leonard Cheshire came to India with the aim of setting up the first overseas Cheshire Home…
There is something very special about being part of the Cheshire Family…
It has been a great privilege to part of their and their families' lives…
This is my dream job…
He really was just a powerhouse of energy…
I soon realised I was in the presence of a man of extraordinary depth and complexity…
This quality symbolises the man Leonard Cheshire really was…
Cycle for all gives me opportunity…
My years supporting Leonard Cheshire's Homes in Africa­­­ were the most meaningful in my life…
Holehird soon became my second family…
All of us at Wimbledon felt proud to have known this unassuming national hero…
He could have done anything after the war, but he chose to help disabled people…
When you've lived in a service for as long as I have, it's nice to give something back…
I have happy cherished memories of Leonard…
Nothing was going to stop me from living life to the full…
I deeply share Leonard's vision of a society in which each individual is equally valued…
I remember he was interested in everybody he spoke to…
He would give it away to the first homeless person he could find…
Gardening has always been at the very heart of my life…
I hope I can always help show what we stand for…
Where I felt awkwardness, Regine felt only love…
A truly inspiring man and a memory I treasure…
I really respect how Leonard Cheshire connects other disabled people to sport…
There is never a day that I leave Heatherley not feeling better than when I arrived.…
I am eternally grateful for the opportunity the charity has given me…
I was prepared to drop everything and volunteer for him…
I love that Cheshire Homes are real homes…
The opportunities I've been given are amazing…
Sport makes me feel unstoppable…
He was a special person…
Our potential is limitless…
Leonard Cheshire Disability has helped me extraordinarily…
If we are going to move with the times, we need to know what inclusivity means for all of us…
He treated me rather like a favourite uncle would have…
I joined Young Voices because I am passionate about disabled children going to school…
How can I summarise what Leonard Cheshire means to me…?
I've had so many special moments working with Leonard Cheshire Disability…
It was a sort of vision that he gave me, which, well he captivated me of course…
Through Leonard Cheshire I developed the confidence and skills to speak out and make a difference, and now I hope to inspire others to do the same…
At Greathouse, no two days are the same…
I'm not sure the rest of the trustees knew what hit them…
We need the example, and the inspiration, of remarkable people like Leonard…
Leonard Cheshire saw the large number of disabled pilgrims at Lourdes and asked where they all lived. The answer was that they were living in hospitals…
It is very rare to find an organisation with such an inspiring story behind its creation…
Like so many who met Leonard, I was immediately attracted to his charisma…
It's dispiriting how unequal life remains for those with disabilities…
He was always pulling people's legs, always having jokes, at himself very often as well…
A place of hope, laughter, warmth and safety…
My first impression of Leonard Cheshire was one of total amazement…
Disability support and information
About Leonard Cheshire Disability
Leonard Cheshire Disability is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no: 552847, and a registered charity no: 218186 (England & Wales) and no: SC005117 (Scotland). VAT no: 899 3223 75. Registered office: 66 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1RL. Patron: Her Majesty the Queen.