FOSTER CARERS – THANKS NOT ENOUGH FOR CENTURY OF SERVICE

The group, three couples and two single foster carers were presented with long service awards by Ceremonial Mayor Councillor Karen Garrido as part of Foster Care Fortnight 2017.

Councillor Garrido urged them to be very proud of their achievements and said: “When you consider the impact they have had on each and every child’s life, the words thank you seem totally inadequate.

“Over the years they’ve taken in hundreds of children, sometimes with just an hour’s notice in an emergency. They’ve given them the love, care, dedicated support and time to help those children and teenagers go on to great lives – whether it’s going to university, college, into good jobs or starting their own families.

“They are amazing people and I’m honoured to be able to thank them.”

Gaynor and Shaun Burrows who have fostered over 35 children over 25 years, said they spotted a poster at their daughter’s dance lesson and enquired about fostering.

“We’d just moved house so we went to find out more with an open mind. We still see many of the children we’ve fostered. I’m glad we did it and I would do it all again. There are ups and downs and challenges but it has huge rewards.”