Your memories: 'It was a happy house. We lived together as a family'

CARING for disabled people at Mayfield House was one of the happiest times of Helen Neilson's life. The 80-year-old was the matron of the home, which provided 24-hour care for disabled people, for several years in the late Sixties and early Seventies.

Edinburgh-born Helen can clearly recall a fundraising day at the home – run by the Leonard Cheshire Foundation – in March 1971, which raised thousands of pounds for the charity.

It marked the launch of Red Feather Week – a fundraising initiative for Mayfield House.

Two former Hibs players, one of whom was John Brownlie, came along on the day to help push the fundraising efforts and were photographed with the residents of the home.

Helen smiles: "We made a lot of money, we got enough to buy our own little van to take people up to Marks or Jenners. We went round the area with money tins."

The home, situated on East Trinity Road, cared for around 29 residents with a variety of conditions, ranging from multiple sclerosis to rheumatoid arthritis. Helen, a former pupil of Musselburgh Grammar School, adds: "It was their home and it was a very happy house. We all lived together as a happy family."

Helen, who lives in a retirement flat in Milton Road adds: "My main aim as a girl was to work with the young disabled and I feel very lucky that I got my wish."

Mayfield House closed in 1997 – 37 years after it opened.

If you know who the other Hibs player is in the photograph (front of the photo, to the right of Helen), e-mail [email protected]