A woman who has fostered for Oldham for over 35 years has been honoured at Oldham Council Fostering Service's celebration evening.

Linda Garforth, 68, has fostered for Oldham since May 1991 and was among the carers recognised at the event, held at the Oldham Event Centre at Oldham Athletic FC. Around 70 foster carers and 30 fostering staff attended.

Long Service Awards went to 22 foster families who have collectively provided 250 years of fostering. Each winner received flowers, a certificate and a gift voucher, presented by the Mayor of Oldham Cllr Pam Byrne.

Linda has fostered children and young people of all ages for different lengths of time, providing long-term, short-term and respite placements. She went on to adopt one of the children in her care and is currently caring for a seven-month-old baby.

Both of her twin daughters Christine and Catherine have also become foster carers, Christine since 2008 and Catherine since 2020.

She said: "I have looked after children from just 30 hours old to teenagers. The most rewarding thing about being a foster carer is knowing that you have made a difference and seeing someone who has arrived withdrawn leave you with good memories."

Linda became a foster carer at the age of 34 after spotting an advert in a newspaper. She said: "I realised I could make a real difference. After 200 children I stopped counting."

In addition to the long service awards, five special awards were presented at the celebration evening.

The celebration is now in its fourteenth year. Oldham Council Chief Executive Shelley Kipling gave a speech thanking carers for their work, and the awards were co-ordinated by Nick Whitbread, Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting, and Lisa Oates, Head of Service for Adoption and Fostering.

Nick said: "Our foster carers provide stability, care and encouragement to some of our most vulnerable children and young people.

"This celebration evening is a chance to recognise their dedication and thank them for the enormous difference they make to families across Oldham. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment and proud to celebrate their achievements."

Lisa said: "Foster carers are at the heart of everything we do. This event is about recognising their hard work, celebrating their successes and showing our appreciation for the care, compassion and support they provide throughout the year."

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can visit www.oldham.gov.uk/fostering or call 0300 303 0321.