Local Hero Awards 2014

JANE and Colin Smith won the Foster Carers of the Year category after fostering children of all ages for more than 20 years.

The couple estimate during that time they have had around 120 children in their care.

To win in the prize the judges were looking for someone upbeat, resilient, caring and truly committed to making a difference in a child’s life.

Jane said: “I am very shocked to win the award but it is not just me but also for the other foster carers.

“It was quite embarrassing to win because I just look after children – that is my life.

“But I particularly enjoy watching them transform as individuals.

“Recently, the last ones we have had were babies and that has been absolutely lovely.

“We had one at a day old and she was ten months old when she found a family.

“It is really rewarding and I just get them into their routines.”

The couple still meet up with the children they have fostered over the years, always checking up on them to see how they are getting on.

“We still keep in touch with a lot actually,” she added. “One has started up her own cleaning business and another is at university studying to be a nurse in Bristol. We still see most of them about two or three times a year.”