Sue Ryder – Three SIGNED Letters 1976-1983
£50.00
A fine typed autograph letter from Sue Ryder addressed to Letchworth Medodist Church, Mr. D. Redfern, 14 Baldock Road, Letchworth, Herts, dated 22nd March 1976, on ivory headed paper – ‘The Sue Ryder Foundation, Founder: Sue Ryder, O.B.E. Incorporationg: Individual Casework – Foundations, Homes and Settlements in Britain and Overseas caring for the sick and disabled of all ages. Sue Ryder Home For The Sick and Disabled, Cavendish, Suffolk CO10 8AY’ – a central graphic of a stylised rosemary sprig paired with the text, ‘Rosemary For Remembrance’, with Ryder’s signature in blue ink, her initials in blue ink to the postscript, with central horizontal fold and two vertical folds.
In full: ‘Dear Friends, This is an extremely belated letter to thank you so much for your extremely generous gift for our Stagenhoe Home, which means more than I can say at this time. As you know, the Foundation also endeavours to run the Holiday Scheme both for patients in Britain and those who have endured unparalleled suffering in Poland as a result of being in the Resistance during the war and then in Gestapo prisons and extermination camps. This example of Faith, fortitude and courage is absolutely outstanding and each individual’s story is a shining example to us. They somehow manage to retain their gaiety and humour too. They consider coming on the Holiday Scheme, an unforgetable experience and the one opportunity in their lives to see Britain. We in turn are privileged to have them with us. On behalf of both the British patients, the survivors on the Holiday Scheme and others who are sick and needy, who will benefit from your goodness, prayers and assistance, may I send you their heartfelt gratitude and good wishes. Yours sincerely, Sue Ryder. I have been under tremendous pressure of work both here and in the other Foundation Homes in different parts of Britain. I do hope you will forgive me for not replying before. We have S.O.S. areas too where the needs are appalling. S.R.’
B) 253 x 202 mm
A similarly fine typed autograph letter from Sue Ryder addressed to Mr M. Muir, Letchworth Round Table No. 81, 316, Norton Way South, Letchworth, Herts. Dated 31st January, 1983, typed on similarly headed ivory paper with Ryder’s signature in blue ink, a central horizontal fold and two vertical folds, with attached Sue Ryder Foundation receipt G64335 attached for £155.00 dated 27.1.83, signed by A. Nicholls, General Treasurer.
In full: ‘Dear Mr Muir, Thank you for your letter and for the absolutely splendid donation which you enclosed from Letchworth Round Table. You may imagine what a great help this cheque is to the Foundation as it will enable us to buy soap and food in bulk. The situation in Poland continues to deteriorate especially as many people can no longer afford rations, mainly because prices have soared to well over 300%. It is, therefore, very urgent that somehow both interest and pressure are kept up in Britain to give assistance on the long term to the beleaguered Poles. With heartfelt gratitude and good wishes to you all. Yours sincerely, Sue Ryder.’
C) 178 x 203 mm
A similarly fine hand-written note from Ryder on headed paper, in blue ink and dated February 1983 in pencil.
In full: ‘With appreciation and warmers wishes Ryder of Warsaw (Sue Ryder)’
Sue Ryder (1924–2000), later Lady Ryder of Warsaw, was a British humanitarian whose wartime service with the Polish section of SOE shaped a lifelong commitment to Poland. After 1945 she raised money, supplies and public support for Polish war victims, former prisoners and the sick, building homes, hospices and hospitals despite communist obstacles. Her foundation’s Polish work eventually included around thirty institutions and made her an honoured national friend in both Britain and Poland alike.
Her UK legacy is the national charity bearing her name, supporting people through terminal illness, neurological conditions and bereavement. From its post-war humanitarian origins, it developed hospices, specialist care centres, home care, charity shops and online grief services. Its lasting importance lies in combining practical compassion with public campaigning, making end-of-life care and grief support more visible, accessible and humane for patients, families and carers across Britain.
(We don't keep all of our stock in the shop, so send us an email if you're planning a trip to see a particular author or book.)
- Description
Description
A fine typed autograph letter from Sue Ryder addressed to Letchworth Medodist Church, Mr. D. Redfern, 14 Baldock Road, Letchworth, Herts, dated 22nd March 1976, on ivory headed paper – ‘The Sue Ryder Foundation, Founder: Sue Ryder, O.B.E. Incorporationg: Individual Casework – Foundations, Homes and Settlements in Britain and Overseas caring for the sick and disabled of all ages. Sue Ryder Home For The Sick and Disabled, Cavendish, Suffolk CO10 8AY’ – a central graphic of a stylised rosemary sprig paired with the text, ‘Rosemary For Remembrance’, with Ryder’s signature in blue ink, her initials in blue ink to the postscript, with central horizontal fold and two vertical folds.
In full: ‘Dear Friends, This is an extremely belated letter to thank you so much for your extremely generous gift for our Stagenhoe Home, which means more than I can say at this time. As you know, the Foundation also endeavours to run the Holiday Scheme both for patients in Britain and those who have endured unparalleled suffering in Poland as a result of being in the Resistance during the war and then in Gestapo prisons and extermination camps. This example of Faith, fortitude and courage is absolutely outstanding and each individual’s story is a shining example to us. They somehow manage to retain their gaiety and humour too. They consider coming on the Holiday Scheme, an unforgetable experience and the one opportunity in their lives to see Britain. We in turn are privileged to have them with us. On behalf of both the British patients, the survivors on the Holiday Scheme and others who are sick and needy, who will benefit from your goodness, prayers and assistance, may I send you their heartfelt gratitude and good wishes. Yours sincerely, Sue Ryder. I have been under tremendous pressure of work both here and in the other Foundation Homes in different parts of Britain. I do hope you will forgive me for not replying before. We have S.O.S. areas too where the needs are appalling. S.R.’
B) 253 x 202 mm
A similarly fine typed autograph letter from Sue Ryder addressed to Mr M. Muir, Letchworth Round Table No. 81, 316, Norton Way South, Letchworth, Herts. Dated 31st January, 1983, typed on similarly headed ivory paper with Ryder’s signature in blue ink, a central horizontal fold and two vertical folds, with attached Sue Ryder Foundation receipt G64335 attached for £155.00 dated 27.1.83, signed by A. Nicholls, General Treasurer.
In full: ‘Dear Mr Muir, Thank you for your letter and for the absolutely splendid donation which you enclosed from Letchworth Round Table. You may imagine what a great help this cheque is to the Foundation as it will enable us to buy soap and food in bulk. The situation in Poland continues to deteriorate especially as many people can no longer afford rations, mainly because prices have soared to well over 300%. It is, therefore, very urgent that somehow both interest and pressure are kept up in Britain to give assistance on the long term to the beleaguered Poles. With heartfelt gratitude and good wishes to you all. Yours sincerely, Sue Ryder.’
C) 178 x 203 mm
A similarly fine hand-written note from Ryder on headed paper, in blue ink and dated February 1983 in pencil.
In full: ‘With appreciation and warmers wishes Ryder of Warsaw (Sue Ryder)’
Sue Ryder (1924–2000), later Lady Ryder of Warsaw, was a British humanitarian whose wartime service with the Polish section of SOE shaped a lifelong commitment to Poland. After 1945 she raised money, supplies and public support for Polish war victims, former prisoners and the sick, building homes, hospices and hospitals despite communist obstacles. Her foundation’s Polish work eventually included around thirty institutions and made her an honoured national friend in both Britain and Poland alike.
Her UK legacy is the national charity bearing her name, supporting people through terminal illness, neurological conditions and bereavement. From its post-war humanitarian origins, it developed hospices, specialist care centres, home care, charity shops and online grief services. Its lasting importance lies in combining practical compassion with public campaigning, making end-of-life care and grief support more visible, accessible and humane for patients, families and carers across Britain.
