THE memories came flooding back for Lilian Stutchbury when the management of her retirement home announced Barnardo's was its chosen charity of the year.

A resident at McCarthy and Stone's Kings Meadow Court development in Lydney, Lilian worked for the children's charity back in 1963 and was delighted to hear the retirement developer was backing a charity dedicated to helping children and young people.

Barnardo's was chosen the company's 'Charity of the Year' at the end of 2011, and the retirement living specialist is aiming to raise at least £50,000 for the organisation over the next 12 months.

As the UK's largest children's charity, Barnardo's provides much needed support for over 100,000 children across 400 projects nationally. Lilian, who is now retired, worked at Barnardo's for seven years.

"Ever since working for Barnardo's, I have seen its work change to meet present day needs. I joined back in 1963 when the Guildford office was due to open. I was looking to move out of London and this seemed like the perfect opportunity," she said.

"I started work at the charity's headquarters in London, until the Guildford office opened a year later and I moved down south.

"As admin officer for south central areas, my main responsibilities were keeping the records up to date for the children in Barnardo's homes, foster homes and families receiving support. Reports were also prepared for case conferences and educational psychologists.

"One of my lasting memories was in 1966 when the staff organised a celebration evening at Guildford Civic Hall. The event was a huge success and we raised a lot of awareness for the charity. Pupils from the local comprehensive school put on a play about how Dr Barnardo started the first home for boys, providing food and basic care for boys he found living off the streets in East London.

"I left the charity in 1970 after the national reorganisation. Looking back, I see how fortunate I was to have had the opportunity to work at the headquarters in Stepney Causeway within its years of social history.

"All new staff were taken on a tour of the offices and in Dr Thomas John Barnardo's office, sat a waxwork figure of Dr Barnardo working at his desk just as he left it. It was a truly memorable place to work."