Select Page

“Pillar of the pro-life movement” Nuala Scarisbrick dies aged 82

Life Charity co-founder Nuala Ann Scarisbrick has died peacefully at home with her husband Jack and their two daughters Emma and Sarah by her side on Tuesday 31 August.

Nuala was the driving force behind the building of the client support services Life operates today – especially her “hotline” which evolved into their National Helpline. 

Nuala was born in January 1939 and began her career in teaching. In 1965 she married distinguished historian Professor John Joseph “Jack” Scarisbrick.

Nuala and Jack co-founded Life in 1970, and the duo spearheaded the charity’s work until they stepped down in 2017. 

While Jack became the figurehead of the new charity, Nuala did the day-to-day running of the charity. For three decades, she took a full-time but unpaid position as National Administrator.

Jack described her as Life Charity’s “chief animator.” Speaking of her influence, he said:“[Nuala] ran Life … And [she] was amazing! Travelling all over the place, all over Europe, and addressing numerous meetings and founding the National Helpline. She was a leading figure on it for many years. Really without her, it would never have taken off as it did”.

Nuala was a woman of incredible energy and drive, and contributed to all areas of Life Charity’s work, from fundraising to hosting supporters to attending meetings to starting Life Charity’s national helpline, its education programme, operations, and the charity’s public relations. All while herself and Jack supported pregnant girls by taking them into their home.

Nuala and Jack lived in Leamington Spa. They have two daughters, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren with a tenth due imminently.

Chris Whitehouse KCSG, a trustee of Right To Life UK, said: “Nuala was a pillar of the pro-life movement and an incredible woman. She will be sorely missed. Yet, the legacy that outlives her and her determination will surely be a model for the next generation”. 

“The pro-life movement would not be where it is today without Nuala’s courage and tireless dedication. Nuala’s passion for supporting women and families in crisis has saved lives – these are literally thousands of people throughout the UK who are alive today because of her pioneering work.”

“If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences of Nuala, please do so on the Book of Condolence available on Life Charity’s website”.

URGENT
APPEAL
to protect vulnerable lives

Help stop three major anti-life threats.

Help fight major assisted suicide and abortion up to birth threats.

Dear reader,

Despite the Leadbeater assisted-suicide Bill passing its Third Reading on 20 June, it scraped through by just 23 votes (314-291) after enjoying a 55-vote majority at Second Reading. Had 12 more MPs switched sides, the Bill would be dead. It now limps into the Lords with a wafer-thin majority, where peers can amend, delay or reject it outright.

THE CHALLENGE

Dignity in Dying, My Death My Decision and Humanists UK have poured millions into pushing assisted suicide and will fight hard to stop the Lords overturning the Bill.

At the same time, the Antoniazzi abortion-up-to-birth amendment, passed by MPs in June, also heads to the Lords. If it becomes law, it would no longer be illegal for women to perform their own abortions for any reason – including sex-selective purposes – and at any point up to and during birth.

We will be up against the UK’s largest abortion providers, BPAS and MSI Reproductive Choices (formerly Marie Stopes), who are expected to push for even more extreme changes to our abortion laws in the Lords.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Thousands of vulnerable lives are now at stake. Battling these two threats is the biggest and most expensive effort in our history, and has drained our limited resources. To fight effectively on both fronts, we aim to raise £200,000 by midnight this Sunday (13 July 2025).

Every donation, large or small, will help protect lives, and UK taxpayers can add 25p to every £1 through Gift Aid at no extra cost.

Will you make a donation now to help protect vulnerable lives from these major threats?

URGENT
APPEAL
to protect vulnerable lives

Help stop three major anti-life threats.

Help fight major assisted suicide and abortion up to birth threats.