Foster carers have been personally thanked for their hard work and dedication by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford.

Councillor Tony Miller and his wife Elsie presented certificates to foster carers from across the district at a City Hall reception in recognition of their work.

The majority of children in the care of the local authority are placed in foster homes where they can be staying on a short term or long term basis.

There are 200 fostering households across the Bradford area, who between them look after 70 per cent of children in care.

Some families have been fostering for up to 25 years and the reception was held to thank all those who have chalked up at least five years in the job.

Coun Miller instigated his year in office as the first ever Civic Year of the Child and has been keen to champion the cause of youngsters and focus attention on their needs.

"Foster carers are highly valued and provide the largest proportion of places for looked-after children in the district," he said.

"They will no doubt have faced difficulties and challenges they never dreamt of as nothing can actually prepare foster carers for the real thing.

"All of them will have had to call on personal resources they never knew they had.

"We hope this event will help bring greater public recognition and understanding of foster carers' achievements and go some way to showing the immeasurable depth of gratitude the Council owes these special people."

More foster carers are always needed and anyone interested can find out more from (01274) 754331.

Patricia's story

Patricia Toth, who has eight children of her own, decided she still had more love to give and has been a foster carer for seven years.

She is a short term link carer - which means the maximum time a child can stay with her is two years - and has cared for 25 girls and boys in total.

Mrs Toth, who is currently looking after two children, said: "I love kids and have always liked looking after them. Some of the children are very traumatised by being taken away from their families but I try to assure them it will be all right.

"It can be hard work with the type of children I've had and many have been very challenging. But I do enjoy seeing them growing in confidence and starting to smile, even getting a bit cheeky. I know that they're thriving in my care.

"My own children - I still have three living at home - like them and talk to them when they come home from work. They're very outgoing and get on fine with the other children although they weren't so interested when they were younger and would compete for my attention."

Of the Lord Mayor's presentation, Mrs Toth, a guest at the ceremony, said: "I think it's very important that Coun Miller has recognised the work foster carers do and said thank you.''

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