Rosemary Bidwell founded the Cotton Tree Children's Trust charity in 2006 and set about raising thousands of pounds through donations, sponsorships, talks and myriad fundraising events to give 20 African children a second chance in life. Providing children with the roof over their heads, regular meals, clothing and general welfare and educational support, with love and affection. The aims of the charity is to support the children on their final journey to adulthood, completing higher education and developing small businesses so that they can support themselves.
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Rosemary Bidwell, a daughter of a Baptist minister, was born in Somerset. A former nurse, and bridal designer became the first woman Rotarian. It was through her work with Rotary International. She went out to Sierra Leone in 2003 to see the devastation caused by the Civil War. This was to change her life. She took a step of faith, sold her business and set up her own charity, devoting the rest of her life to carrying for orphaned and abandoned street children in Sierra Leone.
At present the charity is supporting Nancy, her sister Aminata, Bintu, Alimamy, Saffie Conteh, N'Mah and her sisters Fatmata and Ibrahim Turay all between the ages of 16 and 22. They are currently living in a house supported through the charity.
We are now fundraising for these young people to stay safe in an extremely uncertain country. Providing all welfare from a roof over their heads to education and supporting them to set up small businesses, so that they can support their futures.