Foster carer Joy has fostered for more than 30 years
Foster carers in Manchester who between them have devoted more than 700 years looking after some of the city's most vulnerable children and young people have been recognised by the council at its annual Foster Carer Awards.
The awards included accolades in recognition of their dedication to over 60 foster carers who have reached notable milestones in their years of service as foster carers, with awards given to those who have completed five, ten, fifteen, twenty and more years' service looking after Manchester's children and young people.
Amongst these were awards for foster carer Joy Selley and four other foster carers who like Joy have each spent a remarkable thirty or more years looking after local children and young people.
A number of special awards were also given out to recognise the commitment and particular skills of individual foster carers, including a Lifetime Achievement Award to foster carers Susan and Stephen Gregson, and the Children's Champion Award which went to foster carer June Ward.
Here's all the Special Award winners:
Children's Champion - June Ward
Foster Carer's Choice - Gaynor Noon
Foster Carer's Choice - Chris Ashton Smith & Michael Loye Smith
Going the Distance - Caroline & Paul Potts
Lifetime Achievement - Susan & Stephen Gregson
Rising Star - Clare Buckley
Rising to the Challenge - Jessica Andreas
Road to Success - Saeeda Ahmed
Unsung Hero - Angela & Stuart Wright
Unsung Hero - Kathleen Wharton
Councillor Garry Bridges, Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People, said: "We have some absolutely amazing foster carers in Manchester and we're really proud of all the work they do on our behalf and all the help and support they give our children and young people.
"Day in day out they act as mentors, raise aspirations and ensure the needs of the children they look after are met.
"As we journey towards becoming a UNICEF recognised Child Friendly City this means putting children first in everything we do, and we owe our foster carers a huge debt of gratitude for playing their part in this and also putting our children first in everything they do and helping ensure all children in Manchester can achieve and succeed in their lives."
To find out more about fostering in Manchester or becoming a foster carer call the city council's Fosterline on tel: 0800 988 8931