The present disclosure relates to a leg rest release mechanism (1) for a wheelchair, wherein the leg rest release mechanism (1) comprises: a base member (3) having a base portion (3a) and an elongated axle portion (3b) extending from the base portion (3a), a leg rest swivel frame (5) in swivel connection with the axle portion (3b) to enable swivelling of the leg rest swivel frame (5) relative to the axle portion (3b), wherein the leg rest swivel frame (5) is configured to be connected to an elongated foot rest mounting member (9) provided with a foot rest (5), and a release member (7) having a lifting handle (7a), wherein the release member (7) extends through the leg rest swivel frame (5) and wherein the release member (7) is biased to engage with the base portion (3a) to thereby lock the leg rest swivel frame (5) in a fixed position relative to the base member (3), wherein the release member (7) is configured to disengage from the base portion (3a) by pulling of the lifting handle (7a), whereby the leg rest swivel frame (5) is enabled to swivel relative to the base member (3).