Fr Francis Edward (Ted) Burns sadly passed away on 29 September 2025 aged 87.

Fr Ted first met Leonard Cheshire in1962 when Leonard visited the Corpus Christi College where he was studying for the priesthood. Fr Ted was highly impressed with the humanitarian work that Leonard and his wife Sue Ryder were doing, and he committed himself to help in whatever way he could once he was ordained.  This led to a life of promoting the work of the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation that continued until his death, and which will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of sick and disabled people for many years to come. 

Fr Ted approached this task with passion and enthusiasm. He was unrivalled in his ability to raise funds, using every opportunity to seek donations, sponsorships and bequests from far and wide. His message was clear, uncomplicated and from the heart, and most who heard it were moved to offer their support. 

His passionate approach convinced many to become Ryder-Cheshire volunteers at Raphael in India and particularly at Klibur Domin in Timor-Leste. 

Fr Ted visited Timor-Leste on eleven different occasions, travelling to remote mountain villages to seek out people who desperately needed help. On one such visit, the need for a Respite Centre at Klibur Domin became clear to him, and he personally donated the funds needed to construct the twelve bed St Damien’s Respite Centre to honour St Damien of Molokai, the Patron Saint of Lepers.

More recently, Fr Ted again personally donated the funds needed to construct a new Medical Centre which will soon be built at Klibur Domin, but sadly, he did not live to see it completed.

Fr Ted is mourned by his brother Ray, his sister Rose and her husband John, and his family and friends including many Ryder-Cheshire supporters who knew and respected him. He will be sadly missed by all, none more than the many people he worked with and supported at Klibur Domin.

May He Rest in Peace.

Peter Newton