Emotional winner grateful for first real Christmas tree

Rosemary Hudson, outreach and training co-ordinator with Worthing charity Reaching Families, was chosen as the winner of a Christmas tree from Roundstone Farm Shop.

Customers who voted for her told how she had made a real difference to people’s lives.

Rosemary, of Coleridge Road, said: “It was lovely to feel so appreciated, both from the people who I have supported recently but also from some of the baby-loss families.

“I get a lot back from helping other people as I know just how tough it is when you are told your baby has died or that your children have a disability, so I can empathise with them.”

Rosemary has three children, William, who has autism, Oliver who has social communication and attention difficulties, and Daisy.

She started working with parents ten years ago when she set up a baby-loss group and has developed a passion for working with parents of children at mainstream schools.

Trudie Cole, who runs the farm shop with her partner David Rhodes, said: “Rosemary Hudson not only received the most votes but also received many comments saying how she has made a difference and helped so many local families.

“Rosemary supports parents and carers of children with disabilities and additional needs. In addition, she has been involved with helping support many other local charities for the disabled over the past have years.

“Prior to this, she helped set up and run a local support group for parents who had lost their babies, after finding there wasn’t any local support when she lost her daughter Grace.”

Nominations to win the tree were made through the Roundstone Farm Shop and Tea Rooms Facebook page.

Trudie added: “We asked people to nominate someone who really deserved a real Christmas tree this year. Eleven people nominated Rosemary Hudson and on each post, she had the most likes.”

Rosemary said it was the first time she had had a real tree.

“I am completely overwhelmed and emotional from all these lovely comments and nominations.

“It is lovely to see all of Grace’s precious decorations on a real tree for the first time and for my other three children to see and smell a real tree.”

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