Foster carers from South Cumbria have been honoured for their dedication.
The Cumbria Fostering Long Service Awards 2025 were held in Barrow and celebrated people who have devoted between five and 45 years to fostering – contributing 245 years of fostering between them.
They were welcomed by Mil Vasic, director of children’s services at Westmorland & Furness Council, and Councillor Janet Battye, cabinet member for children’s services education and skills, who presented foster carers with their certificates and a gift voucher.
Alex Finnie, of Walney, received an award for 15 years of fostering.
Alex said: “How wonderful to be recognised and awarded for doing a job you love. It’s a fantastic feeling knowing you can help a young person reach their potential, watching them grow and become happy and confident.”
Foster carers Daniel Bell and Chris Earley, off Barrow, received their five-year long service award at the event.
They said: “We felt very proud to accept our award and to know that all our hard work was recognised and very much appreciated.
“Seeing children start to thrive and be themselves again is the biggest reward; whether it’s returning to birth family or onto adoption, supporting them through difficult times and through good times, this makes every day worthwhile.”
Foster carer Caz Mullen, of Barrow, said: “I felt so proud to get a five-year award and it was so nice that my social worker was also there today, as the award is for us both – as she too been on this journey with me.”
Cumbria Fostering currently supports over 200 foster carers. The county has over 700 children in care and it said there was always a need for more people to come forward.
To foster, people need to have at least one spare room and the time to commit to a child.
In return, it provides a comprehensive package of training, guidance, and ongoing support.
To find out more, visit cumbriafostering.org.uk
