Long serving foster carers from the north of Cumbria were recognised for their dedication to caring for children at a ceremony held by Cumbria County Council last week.
Nine fostering households, who have collectively fostered for a total of 80 years between them, were honoured at the Greenhill Hotel in Wigton last Friday (January 18).
Susan and Gavin Beach of Workington, who have fostered for 25 years, were among those honoured at the awards. Susan said: “It is nice to be recognised in this way. We started fostering because we adopted and became aware of what a need there was. We love it and the biggest reward is to see how the children flourish.”
Flimby couple Anne and Ron Little received an award for fostering for 15 years, and have cared for scores of children over the years. Anne said: “It’s been a great joy. Practically every child who has come through our door is still in touch with us. In fact the very first little girl we ever fostered when she was five, called us on Christmas Day this year and she is at university now. It is so rewarding to hear how well the children do after they leave us.”
Director of Children’s Services, John Macilwraith, who attended the ceremony said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the amazing contribution of our foster carers from the north of Cumbria. They have shown an outstanding commitment to fostering some of our most vulnerable children and I cannot thank them enough.
“Our foster carers look after some our most vulnerable children at times of great crisis and often at short notice. Many of them have worked for Cumbria County Council for years and have dedicated a large proportion of their lives to nurturing children in a highly committed and selfless way.”
Cumbria County Council urgently needs more foster carers for children of all ages and would love to hear from people who, like Susan and Gavin and Anne and Ron, who can offer loving homes to local children.
For more information about fostering with Cumbria County Council visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/fostering
