Home    About Us    Research    Information and Support Services    Contact Us    Donations   
About Us
   Richard Dimbleby       History of the Fund   

About Richard Dimbleby
Richard Dimbleby was the most prominent broadcaster of his generation. After his death from cancer at 52 in 1965 Westminster Abbey and the cloisters beyond were packed with members of the public who wanted to pay tribute to him. His fame rested on his skill as a commentator and reporter, his human warmth, and the pioneering role he played as radio and television developed.

He was the BBC's first news reporter. During the 1939-45 war he sent despatches from the front, bombers on raids over Germany and the Belsen Concentration camp. Returning to Britain and now a household name he worked in radio and television achieving mastery as a commentator on national events such as the Coronation and as the presenter of Panorama.

He was one of the first public figures to reveal that he had cancer and when he died his family asked that instead of flowers, donations should be sent so that a cancer fund could be set up in his memory.

So great was the public response that within weeks we were planning our first project at St Thomas' Hospital, where he had been a patient.
(c) Copyright 2003 Richard Dimbleby Cancer Fund All Rights Reserved