War Child Music

War Child Music is the music-focused fundraising and creative programme of War Child UK, a specialist charity for children affected by conflict. For over 30 years, War Child has worked with artists, labels and the wider music industry to release records and stage live events that raise money and awareness for children suffering the effects of war. The programme encompasses the War Child record collection, live gigs such as BRITs Week, Day Of The Girl and Safe & Sound, the independent label War Child Records, and the membership-based initiative The Right To Dance. War Child itself was founded in 1993 by filmmakers David Wilson and Bill Leeson, together with social entrepreneur Willemijn Verloop, after they witnessed the impact of war on children in the former Yugoslavia. The charity's music heritage dates back to the 1995 HELP album, which brought together Paul McCartney, Oasis, Blur and Radiohead and raised £1.25 million, funding a music therapy centre in Mostar, Bosnia. Today War Child Music continues to collaborate with the music industry to support children in conflict zones worldwide.

War Child was founded in 1993 by filmmakers David Wilson and Bill Leeson, along with social entrepreneur Willemijn Verloop, after they travelled to the former Yugoslavia and witnessed the impact of war on children. The charity's music programme began in earnest in 1995 with the HELP album, which brought together leading British music acts including Paul McCartney, Oasis, Blur and Radiohead to record an album in just three days. The album topped the charts and raised £1.25 million, which funded a music centre in Mostar, Bosnia, using music therapy to support children affected by the conflict. Over the following decades, War Child expanded its operations to Afghanistan (2002) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (2004), while continuing to work with the music industry. The music programme grew to include live event series such as BRITs Week, Day Of The Girl and Safe & Sound, and later the independent label War Child Records and the membership initiative The Right To Dance. In January 2024, Helen Pattinson became Chief Executive Officer of War Child UK, having previously served as Director of Fundraising and Communications. Today, War Child Music remains a central part of the charity's fundraising and awareness efforts, collaborating with artists, labels and partners to support children living through war.

• 2024

  Helen Pattinson becomes Chief Executive Officer of War Child UK.

• 2004

  War Child begins operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

• 2002

  War Child launches first project in Afghanistan.

• 1995

  HELP album released, raising £1.25 million and funding a music centre in Mostar, Bosnia.

• 1993

  War Child founded by David Wilson, Bill Leeson and Willemijn Verloop.

Music-industry-backed charity brand using albums, gigs and memberships to fund support for children in conflict zones.

• HELP album

  1995 charity album recorded in three days by British music acts.

• War Child Records

  Independent label releasing exclusive records and merchandise.

• The Right To Dance

  Monthly membership offering events, music access and merch collaborations.

• BRITs Week
• Day Of The Girl
• Safe & Sound

1. 1Music - Get involved - War Childwarchild.org.uk
2. 2Our history - Who we are - War Childwarchild.org.uk
3. 3Who we are - War Childwarchild.org.uk
4. 4Our people - Who we are - War Childwarchild.org.uk
5. 5War Child Music - Wikidatawikidata.org