Thirty four fostering families were honoured at Rochdale Borough Council's recent annual Foster Carer Celebration in gratitude for their outstanding commitment to providing safe, stable and nurturing homes for some of the most vulnerable.

Between all the carers, it is estimated they have supported more than 1,020 children and young people.

Among those celebrating their individual milestones was Michael (79) and Marilyn (75) who are marking an incredible 50 years. Predominantly caring for newborn babies and siblings since 1976, the married couple from Milnrow have cared for more than 330 children in that time with no signs yet of them slowing down.

“How long is a piece of string?” Marilyn joked when asked how long she will continue to foster for, before adding she would really miss fostering. "We’ve been to their weddings, adoption parties, christenings, eighteenth and twenty first birthday parties. It’s lovely when you think you started off with them as a baby and now, they’ve grown. We’ve had letters from adoptive parents saying, ‘They’ve turned out like they have because of you’ which is nice."

Another couple who have kindly dedicated their lives to providing a safe and stable home to those who need it the most, is Carole (65) and Ian (67) McLean from Rochdale, who are celebrating 40 years of caring for more than 200 children.

Looking back at their own experience as foster carers, Ian said: “When the children do go, they always take something with them of us because we give them that stability, assistance and support. We even give them support when they’ve gone and we’ve got a number of former foster children that we class as family and they call us mum and dad, I’ve even given two of them away at their weddings.”

Among many more memorable moments they have shared as foster carers, Carole was also the birthing partner to another former foster child, an experience she simply described as being ‘brilliant’ to be a part of.

Speaking after the recent celebration event, Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education, added: "Our foster carers make an extraordinary difference to the lives of children and young people across our borough every single day and ‘Thank you’ simply isn’t a big enough expression for how grateful we are to them.

“The dedication, compassion and commitment shown by these families is truly inspiring, and these awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate everything they do. Whether they have been fostering for a few years or several decades, each and every one of them has helped provide the stability, care and support that children need to thrive."

If you have room in your heart and your home, and curious to learn more about becoming a Foster Carer, please take the time to read the information on our website.  

Once you are ready to take the first step on your journey to becoming a foster carer, please get in touch with us via

• The Enquiry Form
• Email at enquire@fosterforgm.com
• Phone on 0300 303 0321

A committed and friendly member of our team will contact you within one working day of your enquiry and are here to answer any further questions you may have about fostering.  They will also explain and guide you through our step-by-step approach in your journey to becoming a foster carer.