South Ayrshire couple are foster champions

Aug 1 2008

TWENTY five years after they fostered their first child and Audrey and John Vallance are the toast of South Ayrshire.

For the big hearted couple have taken more than 60 children into their home in the two and a half decades since they started.

The mum and dad of six were invited to a celebration lunch at Ayr’s Ellisland Hotel by deputy council leader Margaret Toner.

And she paid tribute to them saying: “Audrey and John are remarkable people, who for a 25 year period, have opened their home and their hearts, to care for more than 60 foster children, some of who came to stay for only a short period of time and other who stayed permanently.

“They are a very modest couple who passionately care about children and have been happy to do everything they can to help young people who need extra support.

“They have six children of their own who have played a big part in making foster children welcome.”

Modest Audrey, 53, and John, 55, only agreed to the public celebration when they were told that it might help others volunteer to become foster parents.

They took up the challenge after listening to other carers discuss fostering at a mother and toddlers group when their own children were young.

And they’ve cared for a variety of children with different needs, some for a short spell and others longer.

Audrey explained: “I was very surprised to be invited to a celebration lunch, to be thanked for doing something that you love doing that at the same time helps others is amazing.

“Every child we have fostered has had different needs, but they all get treated exactly the same as my own children.”

But she revealed that it’s not always easy to let go, adding:“I have often been asked how you stop yourself becoming attached to the children. Well the simple answer is that you don’t.

“When children we have fostered leave I often cry, but I know that the children are either going to be reunited with their parents or carers or be adopted, and that is very rewarding.”

Audrey explained that children usually end up in foster care for a variety reasons.

She added: “It could be that they only have one parent who has to go into hospital and there is nobody else to look after them.

“Perhaps they have special needs and they are being fostered to give their parents or carers some respite. All families go through difficult times and it can be that placing a child elsewhere until these are sorted out is the best thing for the child and for the family.”

The couple have now retired from fostering, although Audrey is a member of the fostering and adoption panel.

She went on: “Fostering is hard work, it is challenging and it can be very emotional, but most important of all it is worthwhile for the children you foster.

“Over the years fostering has changed. There are now more supports in place.”

To find out more about fostering call 01292 267675.