(Image: Middlesbrough Council)
Foster carers in a North East town have been honoured for supporting vulnerable children and young people across the area.
AV Dawson hosted the event at The Staiths building in Middlesbrough, with more than 30 mainstream and kinship foster carers recognised for their dedication.
Chris Cooke, Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: "Our small army of foster and kinship carers really are the town’s unsung heroes.
Middlesbrough foster and kinship carers were joined by Mayor Chris Cooke at a spe (Image: Middlesbrough Council)
"They play a huge and priceless role in the lives of some of our most vulnerable children, helping to give them the best possible start in life.
"The work they do and the relationships they form truly shape lives and lay the foundations for those young people’s futures.
"But we always need more people to come forward if that work is to continue.
Pic 3: Speakers at the event included Middlesbrough Council’s Corporate Director of Children’s Services Annabel Bates (Image: Middlesbrough Council)
"The support, knowledge and experience is there so I’d urge anyone who thinks they have what it takes to get in touch."
Carers received flowers and long-service awards for their commitment.
A carer said: "Could you please pass on our sincere thanks to all involved for making today's event very special?
Award (Image: Middlesbrough Council)
"We enjoyed it immensely and were pleased so many turned up.
"It’s events like these that make our job easier.
"It's always nice to feel appreciated."
The event was also part of this year’s Foster with North East recruitment campaign, ‘Can you be someone’s rock?’.
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Middlesbrough Council’s fostering team and experienced carers can support newcomers through the application process.
Find out more on the Middlesbrough Council website: Fostering: could you be a foster carer?
Find out more about Foster with North East on its website.