William Edward Gregory-Leeson (born 13 October 1943) is an English filmmaker who was one of the founders of the charity
War Child, which particularly focuses on help for children in war situations.
In 1993, Leeson and David Wilson produced a documentary film featuring child victims of the war in former Yugoslavia. What they saw so deeply shocked them that they established War Child, which today is a network of independent
non-governmental organisation
A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in ...
s (NGOs) operating across the world to help children affected by war.
In early 1999, Leeson stepped down as CEO as a result of accepting a bribe from the contractors of a musical therapy centre in Sarajevo.
Leeson and the current War Child management and board enjoy a good relationship, with Leeson invited to advise War Child and attend its 15th-anniversary celebrations for the ''Help'' CD in 2010.
Today Leeson is one of the founders and directors of GardenAfrica, a charitable organization set up in 2002 to support African families through a range of garden-related initiatives. The project seeks to transform derelict land adjacent to schools, hospitals, and clinics in African communities to help provide
food security
Food security speaks to the availability of food in a country (or geography) and the ability of individuals within that country (geography) to access, afford, and source adequate foodstuffs. According to the United Nations' Committee on World ...
, health and nutrition, education and training, and sustainable livelihoods.
References
External links
GardenAfrica
— Bill Leeson, the outspoken co-founder of one of Great Britain's most high-profile charities, believes that you can do good works without being a do-gooder: "I am a deal maker. I make deals to get my story out."
Man of the Year 2000 Award
— The MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD is presented to men who through their extraordinary achievements have contributed to a better world. The film-makers Bill Leeson and David Wilson have, with War Child, created a platform to aid the most innocent victims of war.
Launch party for UK charity GardenAfrica
— The original Pleasure Gardens at Highgate's Lauderdale House was brought to life as a launch party for UK charity GardenAfrica.
BBC report on corruption scandalGuardian report on corruption scandalWar Child response to Guardian report on corruption scandal
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leeson, Bill
1943 births
Living people
English documentary filmmakers
English humanitarians
People from Salford