Celebrations in Cavendish, near Sudbury, mark the centenary of the birth of charity founder Sue Ryder, whose work began in the village

The tireless work of a charity founder who devoted her life to helping others was celebrated in her home village near Sudbury to mark the centenary of her birth.

Lady Ryder of Warsaw started her first home, initially to care for Polish survivors of Nazi concentration camps, in 1953 in Cavendish.

Through her charity the Sue Ryder Foundation she went on to establish homes throughout the UK and abroad, looking after people with a variety of different needs.

Last Friday, former employees, volunteers and guests marked her 100th anniversary at an event organised by the Lady Ryder of Warsaw Memorial Trust.

It took place at the house where her work began and which was for many years her family’s home and the nerve centre of her charity.

The historic former rectory is now at the heart of Devonshire House Care Home, which hosted Friday’s event and where a room is dedicated to Lady Ryder’s memory.

Sue Ryder’s life was changed forever by the suffering and bravery she witnessed in Europe during and after World War Two, in which she served with the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and the Special Operations Executive.

In 1959 she married Group Captain Leonard Cheshire, a war hero and fellow charity founder – later Baron Cheshire – and they ran a joint international venture as well as their separate organisations.

Lady Ryder, who died in 2000 eight years after her husband, remained dauntlessly dedicated to her work almost until her death, including maintaining strong links with Poland, where she set up numerous homes.

The centenary event also included a visit to St Mary’s Church, Cavendish, where floral displays and information boards marked the anniversary.

Her daughter Dr Elizabeth Cheshire laid a wreath of red and white flowers – the colours of the Polish flag – in the church beside a memorial to