On January 11^th 1967, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) was founded in response to the presentation of the Abortion Act, which was introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by David Steel MP, and given royal assent on 27^th October 1967.

Recognising the need to form an organisation dedicated to opposing legal abortion, two ordinary members of the public, Alan Smith and Elspeth Rhys-Williams, alongside other founder members, set about creating a campaigning and educational organisation that would unite pro-lifers across the UK against abortion.

In 1982, Mother Teresa delivered a memorable address to SPUC supporters in London and Glasgow at the “Call to Humanity” rallies. Her powerful message of Christ’s love and compassion for the unborn resonated deeply, inspiring the pro-life movement in the UK.

This event marked a pivotal moment in SPUC’s history, reinforcing its mission to defend life and support vulnerable mothers, a legacy that continues today through the work of SPUC.

In 1990, Professor Jérôme Lejeune, renowned for his discovery of the genetic cause of Down syndrome, became President of SPUC. As a leading geneticist and passionate advocate for life, Lejeune dedicated his career to researching Down syndrome and opposing the termination of unborn children diagnosed with the condition.

In the same year, SPUC’s Educational Research Trust established the Anna Fund to support his groundbreaking work, continuing his legacy of seeking medical treatments for Down syndrome rather than promoting abortion.

In February, 2011, the high court rejected a demand by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) in a case which has been described as “the bedroom abortion case”.

BPAS went to court to seek a formal declaration that it was lawful to give a woman drugs to take away to administer to herself in the second stage of an RU486 abortion. SPUC intervened in the case and arguments submitted by SPUC played a prominent part in Mr Justice Supperstone’s judgment in which he firmly rejected BPAS’s application.

In 2024, SPUC solidifies its place as the UK’s largest and leading pro-life organisation. Since 1967, SPUC has been at the forefront of the global pro-life movement, advocating for the right to life from conception to natural death.

As a global leader, SPUC continues to shape policy, provide education, and support women and families, influencing pro-life legislation in the UK. Through tireless campaigning and outreach, SPUC remains dedicated to defending the most vulnerable and advancing a culture of life on both national and international stages