AS Barnardo’s celebrates its 150th anniversary, a local woman has reached her own special milestone - clocking up 25 years as a shop manager with the UK’s biggest children’s charity.

Chris Morris, who manages the Barnardo’s Cymru store in Charles Street, Milford Haven has seen many changes of fashion on the rails but her dedication to the role has remained constant.

Such is the regard people have for her that a number of the shop’s volunteers have stayed with her for many years and volunteers and Barnardo’s Cymru managers marked her milestone with tea and cakes at the store recently.

Chris was presented with an eye-catching celebration cake of a rambler on a country path to reflect her keen interest in walking. She has recently returned from a walking holiday in Italy.

Chris was catering manager for the Royal Naval Armaments Depot before joining Barnardo’s Cymru and after a few months working between the Haverfordwest and Milford stores she took the reins at Milford full time.

“I have a good band of volunteers, some of them are young people from the Job Centre, others have been with me for 20 years. We also have a lot of people who support us with donations. There is so much variety in the job and no two days are the same.

“I have seen some changes with the introduction of computers and gift aiding but the end result has always been the same - we are helping children who very much need it,” said Chris.

One of her highlights was in May this year when she attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace to mark Barnardo’s 150th anniversary with volunteers Ann Evans, Jacqui Smith and Margaret Phillips.

Dave Howells, area business manager, said: “I’d like to thank Chris for the hard work and commitment she has given Barnardo’s Cymru over the last 25 years. She has built up a loyal team of both volunteers and customers over the years.”

If you would like to volunteer at our Milford Haven shop or one of other branches please email retail-volunteering@barnardos.org.uk or ring 0208 498 7320.