Our history

War Child was founded in 1993 by British filmmakers Bill Leeson and David Wilson when they returned from covering the war in former Yugoslavia.

Shocked by what they had seen, they raised enough money to return later that year with a convoy and mobile bakery to help provide for the children affected by the conflict.

The War Child family soon grew as War Child Holland was formed in 1994 and War Child Canada started in 1998 - all under the umbrella of War Child International.

Our first album 'Help' was launched in 1995 in order to raise money and awareness for the children affected by the bloody conflicts in the Balkans.

After more than 10 years we handed over our music therapy programme and the flagship Pavarotti Music Centre to a local organisation that will continue to serve children in to the future.

During that time we have expanded our programmes into the five countries we work in today - Iraq, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, D.R. Congo and Uganda.

We have also released four more critically acclaimed albums; most notably 'Help! - A Day in the Life' in 2005 and 'Heroes' in 2009.