The David Williamson Rwanda Foundation, which was set up in late 2008 and formerly recognized as a charity registered in Scotland in March 2009, came into existence as a memorial to the life of David Williamson, owner and Managing Director of Glasgow-based coffee roasters, Matthew Algie.

The Foundation's aims are to work with the communities attached to the coffee-growing co-operatives in Rwanda - a country whose people and amazing spirit greatly moved David when he visited there in 2007 - to alleviate poverty and assist in the improvement of health and welfare.

The Foundation is administered by four Directors; Morag Williamson, Ewan Reid, Ian Bretman and Wyndham James and had its inaugural Board meeting at The Fairtrade Foundation offices in London in April 2009. As well as the Board of Directors, The David Williamson Rwanda Foundation has two very involved Patrons in actor Colin Firth and musician and actor Shirley Manson.

Thursday 04th March 2010

Running for DWRF

In 2008 Caroline, an employee of Matthew Algie, decided to complete a 10k run in Manchester, much to the amusement of her friends and family as before this point running up the stairs was a challenge. Managing to complete this run in one piece spurred her on to continue running, skywiring, scrambling etc all in the name of charity. Finally bringing her to the biggest challenge, the big one: 26.2mile Edinburgh Marathon taking place May 23rd 2010. She immediately decided to run in the name of David Williamson Rwanda Foundation, hoping to inspire others to raise money for this worthwhile cause. We are setting up a Just Giving page for Caroline and will let you know as soon as it's up.

Friday 26th February 2010

Official launch of The David Williamson Rwanda Foundation

Took place in Mono, Glasgow on the night of Sunday 5 July 2009, David's favourite music venue. Titled Throughout the Dark Months of April and May it was a night, which saw David's friends, family, colleagues, supporters and music fans, gather together and watch some of David's favourite bands play. With warm words and warmer hearts, the Foundation launched to the sounds of The Pastels, The Vaselines, Malcolm Middleton and Teenage Fanclub. It was a night to remember and marked a new beginning.