AN afternoon tea party to celebrate the 150th anniversary of national children’s charity Barnardo’s has been organised by a West Devon woman who was cared for by the charity in her childhood years.

The party, on June 26 at the Drake Manor Inn in Buckland Monachorum, has been organised by Maureen ‘Mo’ Harris, who spent part of her childhood under the care of Barnardo’s along with her siblings. She is now is a member of the National Council of Barnardo’s Old Boys and Girls and volunteers for the charity.

Mo was admitted into Dr Barnardo’s care (as it was then known) at the age of three, along with her two older sisters and her older brother.

She said: ‘We all lived in the Barnardo’s Village in Essex. The village was self contained with its own church, hospital, school and individual cottages where children lived. We were all very happy and my parents visited regularly, but separately. My parents separated several times.

‘Barnardo’s did attempt to reconcile myself and my siblings with our parents on several occasions, but it was not to be. It was on one of these times that my young brother was born. I was very close to him and did most of the caring for him at a very young age.’

Mo said her parents eventually went through a very difficult divorce and went their separate ways. As a result, her two sisters were taken into local authority care and her father was sent to prison. Her mother became the sole carer for her and her two brothers.

She said: ‘I do remember visiting my sisters who were both in care at different places but the circumstances of their admittance to care was not clear to me at the time.

‘I knew quite early that one day I would pay back for all the love, care and support that I had received from Barnardo’s, when it was needed most and when I was so very vulnerable.

‘After many difficult times along the way and situations I had to deal with, I eventually married and had two children — a girl and a boy. I soon realised that the time had come to pay back for my care received by Barnardo’s.’

Mo volunteered to work in children’s homes in Plymouth, working with vulnerable children through difficult situations and this became the start of her 16 year career path. During this time she applied, and was accepted, to join the National Council of Barnardo’s Old Boys and Girls and began getting involved in fundraising, befriending and supportive work among other things.

‘Anything I was asked to do by Barnardo’s, I responded readily. I spread the word of Barnardo’s work, past and present, to all I come in contact with. I have spread my reputation far and wide with independent talks for organisations and groups, thus fundraising for future generations who need the support and assistance of Barnardo’s.

‘I will never forget what Barnardo’s did for me, teaching me, caring for me, protecting me as any good parent would do. Also teaching me to care for others less fortunate than myself. I thank Barnardo’s for enabling me to pay back for all the love and support a child could have and to enable me to continue in my work to further the name of an organisation that puts children first.

‘I am proud to say that I was, and still am, supported by the greatest family — Barnardo’s.’

The tea party will run from 3.30pm to 6pm and will see magician Lez the Fez wow the crowds with up close magic and balloon modelling.

For more information see the advert in the Forthcoming Events section on page 23 of this week’s Times.