Wirral foster carers celebrated at special awards event
Foster carers have been recognised for their exceptional contribution to the lives of local children at an Appreciation Event in Wirral.
The event is an annual opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the huge contribution that foster carers make to local children.
Cllr Stephen Bennett, Chair of the Children, Young People and Education committee for Wirral Council, said:
It takes a special kind of person to welcome someone into their family and provide them with love, care and stability. It was amazing to see so many people together in one room, with that kind of empathy and kindness, at our appreciation event.
On behalf of the people of Wirral, I want to say a huge thank you to all of our local authority foster carers for their hard work and dedication.
The event, which took place on Tuesday 17 September, provided afternoon tea for guests as well as speeches from a number of speakers.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club owner, Mark Palios, attended the event as a guest speaker, speaking about his own life experiences in care when growing up.
Mark Palios said:
Sometimes, people are surprised to hear that I spent time in foster care during my childhood. I feel I was tremendously lucky that there was someone, someone like all of you here today, to look after me and my younger brother, within a family rather than an institution - at an important time in our lives.
From my own experiences I can tell you that the impact you make now as a foster carer, lasts a lifetime in the memories and experiences of that child. So, thank you so much for all that you do.
As part of the event, three awards were presented by Cllr Stephen Bennett to:
- Julie and Steve Preston who won the ‘Mainstream foster carer who has gone above and beyond’ award
- Cindy Nall who won the ‘Connected foster carer who has gone above and beyond’ award
- Lesley Clark who won the ‘Outstanding contribution to fostering’ award
Nominations were made by staff across Children’s Services.
In addition to the awards, thank you cards and tokens of appreciation were given to all the carers who attended.
Thanks go to businesses such as LUSH, Bakehouse, Coffeehouse, Greene King, Morrisons, Liverpool Football Club (LFC) and The Village Hotel for their kind donations of gifts for the foster carers.
Do you think you could foster? Anyone considering fostering can get in touch to find out more about the various types of fostering and the extensive support available.
For more information about fostering in Wirral and the Cheshire and Merseyside area please visit www.foster4.co.uk or call 03456460098.
