Billy and Ann are honoured
FOSTER carers from Lancashire who have looked after children for many years have been honoured with a lunch at County Hall.
The celebration, held on February 6, was attended by foster carers, county councillors and senior officers.
The carers have all been fostering for at least 25 years, looking after more than 400 children in total during this time.
The foster carers who attended the lunch included Ann and Billy Hansen from West Lancashire. They have been foster carers for 39 years and have looked after 125 children. Others included: Carol Dean from Hyndburn. She has been a foster carer for 25 years and has looked after 120 children.
Lyn and Chris Monks from Preston. They have been foster carers for 30 years and have looked after 30 children.
Marcia Gregory from Burnley who has been a foster carer for 42 years and has looked after 35 children.
Mary and Thomas Williams are from Morecambe. They have been foster carers for 27 years and have looked after 52 children.
Marie and Ken West are from Lancaster. They have been foster carers for 40 years and have looked after 101 children.
County Councillor Susie Charles, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, attended the event and said: “I’m delighted to recognise the incredible efforts made by our foster carers. I’d like to offer my personal thanks to each of them. All of our foster carers work tirelessly to improve the lives of looked after children in Lancashire.
‘‘We recognise the importance of the work that they do.
“This lunch is a very small token of our appreciation marking the length of time that some of our foster carers have carried out important role.’’
Clrl Charles added: ‘‘For many years now they have all opened up their hearts and their homes to provide children with a secure and loving place to live, and they make a massive difference in improving children’s lives each day.” this incredibly
The county council is currently recruiting new people who can foster all ages of children, particularly siblings who need to stay together and teenagers.
If you want to find out more, call the fostering recruitment team on 0300 123 6723 or visit www.lancashire.gov. uk/fostering