Ninety years
of leading the way
1924 1923
31st January The British Empire Leprosy Association (BELRA) was launched at Mansion House, London. Philanthropist Sir Frank Carter provided the funds to put the Association’s plan into action. HRH The Prince of Wales became Patron and Lord Chelmsford, retiring Viceroy of India, was the first Chairman of the committee which also included other eminent people from Commonwealth countries.
Major General Sir Leonard Rogers, ex-Indian Medical Service, agreed to join Rev. Frank Oldrieve in forming a new Association. Rev. Oldrieve had conceived a plan to fight leprosy, starting with the folk cure of Chaulmoogra oil.
The Reverend P B “Tubby” Clayton, vicar of All Hallows by the Tower, London, met people with leprosy in Nigeria, which fired his enthusiasm for tackling the disease. Also founder of Toc H, an international charity, his call for volunteers brought over 300 lay workers.
1937 October-The first edition of the BELRA Quarterly magazine was published.
1952
1933
1945
Trials of Dapsone treatment started in India. In 1948 Dapsone was announced as a cheap and effective cure for leprosy. In 2014, it is used as part of multi-drug therapy for leprosy infections.
Our mobile exhibition van started to tour the UK, promoting our work. Two years later, the Association’s short title changed to Lepra.
1962 ears A . Fo u r y R L E B f Pa t r o n o it e d became , s h e v is h n g e r e u u b Q in e of Ed HM The ig e r ia The Duk H R H h e n t in N it m w le t r, t e e t S la rosy iv e r L e p t h e O ji R
1959 At Ongino Leprosarium, Uganda, the first made-to-measure shoe was tried out to take the pressure off ulcerated feet. This had a wooden sole and rubber insole made from car tyres.