PM welcomes "Best of British" foster parent to Downing Street
PM meets Doreen Roberts, who has fostered around 300 children, as part of ITV's Text Santa programme
There are now 65,000 children in the care system, and of the 3,600 children under the age of one in care, only sixty were adopted last year.
In recognition of her contribution to some of the most vulnerable people in society, the Prime Minister yesterday invited Doreen Roberts to 10 Downing Street.
Paying tribute to her achievements, the Prime Minister said:
Doreen, and her late husband Don, are great examples of the Best of British. Over the past 47 years they have helped around 300 of the most vulnerable children in our society offering them the safe and secure family environment every child deserves, as well as bringing up five children of their own. This is an incredible, selfless achievement that is rightly being recognised tonight and I’m delighted to welcome Doreen to Downing Street.
I hope her story will inspire others. It brings home how much joy children bring to our lives and shows how we can support them.
The reception was organised as part of Text Santa, a new charity initiative by ITV that aims to raise awareness and money for a group of charities that help those most vulnerable during the festive period and beyond.
The government has pledged to match £250,000 in funding for the campaign.
The Prime Minister added:
People who foster and adopt, like Doreen, make a fantastic difference to a child’s life and there are children waiting for families right now.
Find out more about the Text Santa campaign, including how to donate.