Betty Phillips, 69, formerly known as Betty Kennison is searching for a loving friend who gave her birthday presents during her childhood days of living in a care home.

Betty spent a small period of her life in Roxborough House, Stroud when her mother had terminal cancer and her father was unable to look after her.

She still remembers her seventh birthday when her school friend Karen Harding gave her a brown bag full of gifts.

Betty said: “I still remember to this day the brown bag full of presents Karen and her family gave to me.

“I don’t know if Karen is still around but I would love to get back in touch with her.

 “It is something I have always thought about, you don’t forget acts of kindness like that too often.”

Betty spent much of her childhood switching between foster families and trying to find a home that was suitable for both her and her two brothers.

She said: “It was hard to find a home that liked both me and my brothers.

“Eventually when I was about 12 we settled down with foster families, I stayed with our second cousins but my brothers ended up with strangers.”

Despite some tough days gone by Betty and her husband Tim now live a happy life in Broadway, Worcestershire, where they are lucky enough to have three children, seven grandchildren and even a great-grandchild.

Driven by experiences of her childhood Betty trained to be a Nursery Nurse and has also helped set up a youth club where she has worked for 42-years.

In 2002 Betty’s remarkable commitment to volunteering was recognised when she was awarded an MBE for services to the youth movement.

Now Betty is searching for her friend who provided her with such happiness during a tough period of her life.

“I don’t know anything about Karen’s life, we drifted as everyone does.

“She could be married or even passed on, it would just be nice to know.”

If anyone knows of Karen or her whereabouts please get in touch via email: sam.evans@newsquest.co.uk or call 01453769414.