AFTER working tirelessly for charity for more than 50 years combined, a Hampshire couple have decided it is time for “some younger people to take over”.

Maureen and Roy Taylor, 78 and 80, have retired from The Abbeyfield Fareham Society.

The charity which provides sheltered housing for elderly people began in Fareham in 1963.

Roy, who was a carpenter, became part of the charity 32 years ago as a maintenance man and became chairman in 1997.

Maureen, who was a secretary for the Royal Navy in Portsmouth joined in 1998 to cover the secretary who was off on maternity leave.

She said: “Although it was supposed to be temporary, I ended up staying as the secretary for twenty one years.”

The charity currently has two houses in East Street.

Both houses are occupied by eight residents who are aged between 70 to 100 years old.

As part of the society, residents pay one lump sum of money and this provides them with their own room and a house keeper.

Roy said: “I have lived in Fareham all of my life and being part of Abbeyfield has been brilliant as it’s all about giving something back and doing something good for the community.”

Maureen said: “The residents have always been our priority. A lot of them are very lonely but living at the sheltered house gives them a family atmosphere as they can eat meals together and watch television.”

Currently the charity has ten volunteers, seven house management works, three volunteer visitors and 12 paid members of staff.

Over the past 32 years Roy has also served on The Abbeyfield National Council for the South West Region and two years ago he was awarded the Royal Patrons Award in recognition of his commitment to the care of older people.

He also met Prince Charles, who is the national charity’s patron in 2016 at the 60th anniversary celebration.

Maureen said that they had a “fantastic send off”.

She said: “We had a cheese and wine night with the residents and the executives took us out for dinner.

“ It was hard to make the decision to retire, but we will be staying as trustees for the charity, we can’t just walk away.”

Roy added: “After all this time, the charity needs some younger people to take over.”