War Child was founded by Bill Leeson and David Wilson in 1993, after witnessing the fate of children in war-torn Yugoslavia. It has received funding from The United Nations High commission for Refugees (UNHCR). It has helped Tibetan refugees in Nepal and street children in Central America, South Africa and Ethiopia. The patrons of the charity include David Bowie, Brian Eno and Luciano Pavarotti.

In 1995 the charity released an LP to raise funds to help children of the Yugolsavian Civil WarIt featured artists such as Paul McCartney, Oasis, The Boo Radleys and many others. Famously, it was recorded over two days (Thursday and Friday) and was in the shops the following Monday.