Big awards for fostering the little people
Pat And Keith Coomber celebrate their award with Central Beds Councillors Sue Oliver and Mark Versallion
A LEIGHTON foster couple were honoured at a glitzy award ceremony in Chicksands last week for selflessly opening their home to children in need of one.
Pat and Keith Coomber from Leighton Buzzard were recognised for providing five years of foster care to local children at the annual Bedfordshire Foster Care Awards.
The packed event, which saw 15 foster carers lauded for their efforts, was hosted by Tracy Beaker TV star Ashley Taylor-Rhys and served as the culmination of Bedfordshire Fostering Service’s celebrations of Foster Care Fortnight (13-27 May), an annual national event aimed at encouraging more people to foster.
Reflecting on the achievement, Mrs Coomber said: “We wanted to become foster carers so that we could make a difference and provide a home for children who need one.
“We have lots of laughs with the children and it’s great to see them progress. When they first arrive they can be scared, but they get much more confident once they realise you really do care.
“The last five years have been challenging, we’ve had to learn to go with the flow, but overall it’s been a really great experience.”
Central Beds Councillor Mark Versallion hailed the “humbling” efforts of the carers and urged more people to offer youngsters a fighting chance.
Finding out more about fostering, couldn’t be easier, just call 0300 300 8181, or visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/fostering
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
