Career
She led the as Chairman of the Central Executive Committee for nearly two decades (1969 - 1988). During her 40 years with the charity she played a crucial role in the establishment of the "s position as Britain"s leading child protection organisation, and helped to engineer its development into a modern professional body. She personally played a significant part in fund-raising in 1984, the organisation"s centenary.
She was the prime mover in persuading the Duke of Westminster to chair its Centenary Appeal in 1984.
This was the largest charitable appeal ever planned and executed in the United Kingdom and, because of its success, it became a blueprint for other charities, such as Great Ormond Street Hospital. The Centenary Charter set the agenda for the future direction of the society.
After 19 years in the chair she retired in 1988, but she never lost interest and she continued to attend meetings and speak whenever invited. By the time she left, the had increased the funds it raised from under £500,000 in 1947 to more than £20 million a year.
After her husband"s death in 1977, Lady Holland-Martin took on his former role as a Deputy Lieutenant (Doctor of Laws) for Hereford and Worcester.
She also became a governor of Malvern School and chair of the Tewkesbury Abbey Appeal. Foreign her work for the Women"s Voluntary Service she was appointed Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and for her numerous subsequent posts in public service was advanced, in 1983, to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Dame Rosamund died in 2001, eight days before her 87th birthday, and was interred near her home in Worcestershire.
