Simon Edwards with his pictured with his wife, Jeanette and daughters Molly (left) and Jasmine.  Directors Dot and Derek Butler are also pictured (back right) with fostering manager Lynne Brown and the Deputy Mayor of Great Aycliffe Coun Barbara Clare.

Newton Aycliffe based fostering agency Reach Out Care has helad its first ever awards day – and the Deputy Mayor of Great Aycliffe , a former foster carer, was there to hand  out the certificates and trophies.

Coun Barbara Clare did the presentation honours at the celebration at the Xcel Centre.

“As a former foster carer myself I was delighted to be there and I was impressed by the number of people and children,” she said. “I know that successful fostering requires great sacrifice and contribution from everyone involved – and I was personally delighted that Reach Out Care were able to celebrate their achievements in such a loving atmosphere!”

More than 100 foster carers, birth children and foster children enjoyed afternoon tea and there was soft play and games for the younger children.

“We wanted to recognise and celebrate the achievement of our fostering families,” said fostering manager Lynne Brown. “Absolutely everyone got an award and it was an added bonus that the Deputy Mayor, who has first hand experience of fostering, was there to share it with us. We hadn’t realised that she’d been a foster carer and we were all delighted when she told us …it was very fitting!

“Absolutely everyone got some kind of award and it was a great afternoon. We’ll be doing this every year from now – as an agency we’re going from strength to strength as more and more people opt to become foster carers with us.”

Foster carer Simon Edwards scooped a special award – a trophy for helping raise £4,800 for ROCSOLID supported accommodation for care leavers.

The dad of two joined a team who cycled a total of 754 miles from ROCSOLID in Newton Aycliffe to the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

“We’ve fostered many children and we know that they need extra support once they leave care,” said Simon. “I happen to love cycling so was really happy to help organise and take part in the ROC the Rhine ride.”

ROCSOLID charity was launched by Derek and Dot Butler who own the fostering agency. It houses 30 vulnerable young people, including young families, care leavers and pregnant teenagers.

“It was great that Simon did the ride for the charity, “said Dot. “Our foster carers are totally amazing and committed. It’s good to be able to celebrate the great work they, their own children and their foster children have accomplished over the past year.”

For more information about Reach Out Care and ROCSOLID visit www.reachoutcare.co.uk