While visiting a minefield in Cambodia, Sir Bobby witnessed first-hand the devastating impact that landmines and the legacy a forgotten war was still having on innocent civilian communities.  Sir Bobby Charlton's visit to Cambodia moved him to set up the charity so that he could do something practical to help the people he had met in Cambodia and thousands more like them around the world.  

When the charity first started, its work to address the legacy of conflict was focused on developing new technologies for better detection of landmines and the explosive remnants of war and improving surgical techniques for those who had suffered explosive blast injuries and limb loss. This pioneering work continues at present and has led to the charity’s evolution to support conflict affected communities more directly. 

Today, The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation take a long-term view of conflict and crisis and contribute in practical ways to rebuild the peace by addressing the economic, social, environmental, and cultural impact of war so that everyone has the right to live, work and play freely, equitably and safely no matter where they are in the world. 

The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation focuses its resources on working with civilian populations in developing countries where conflicts past and present fuel poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. The charity’s work, which contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development led by the United Nations, aims to use its approach to make communities safer, more sustainable and empower local people to take back control of their lives and shape their own futures.