Carers pick up honours (From Stourbridge News)

Carers pick up honours

9:27am Friday 24th November 2006 in Local

MORE than 100 kind-hearted borough carers picked up awards for long service at a Brierley Hill ceremony.

On Friday November 10 around 130 foster carers attended the event held at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill.

And seven of those awarded have been foster carers for more than 26 years.

They each received a traditional long service clock, manufactured by Stuart Crystal.

Another four carers have been fostering for between 21 and 25 years.

A further 26 foster carers were rewarded for between 11 and 20 years service while 24 have clocked up between five and ten years.

Councillor Liz Walker, cabinet member for children's services, said: "I'm delighted that we celebrated the role of foster carers in this way.

"The evening went very well and it was a nice way for us to say thank you to carers who have given so much over many years to children across the borough."

Dudley Council chief executive, Andrew Sparke hosted the event which was also attended by the deputy mayor, Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for children's services, councillor Liz Walker and director of children's services, John Freeman.

Meanwhile the guest speaker for the evening was Robert Tapsfield, chief executive from the Fostering Network - the UK's leading charity for everyone involved in fostering.