'˜The day we got our boys was the best day of my life'

The family, who we’re not naming to protect the identity of the children, have appealed to local people who have ever thought about fostering to attend an information meeting in Da Vinci’s Hotel tomorrow (Saturday) from 2 to 4 p.m.

An urgent appeal for new foster carers to come forward has been launched by the Western Trust as the number of children who require permanent placements with families in foster care continues to grow.

“We ruled ourselves out of fostering or adoption,” the mum said. “We thought we were too old. We had tried fertility treatment for 10 years. Then we decided to look into fostering.”

She said she and her husband quickly realised that fostering and adoption was about much more than their desire to be parents.

“We wanted to give a child a home,” she said. “And that was the most important thing. We were given all the information we needed and all the training. The day they came to live with us was the best day of our lives.

“I fell in love with them straight away.”

The couple had been approved for a sibling placement for long term fostering. However they have now found out that the boys, who have been with them since July, have been approved to be adopted by them.

“This is their forever home now,” she said. “It was great that the boys were able to stay together and it has been great for their relationship. The two of them are just gorgeous inside and out. They light up our house and they have turned out lives inside out.”

Michelle Mullan, social worker, praised the couple. Explaining that there is an urgent need for more foster carers she said that the couple who had given the boys a home where the best example of a family who had settled so well. An information session will be held on Saturday, February 27 from 2 – 4 pm in Da Vinci’s Hotel. Call 02871 314244 to register your interest.