Amazing devotion of foster parents

POWER of love . . . Anne and Lloyd Morgan with their adopted son, Adam

FOSTER parents Anne and Lloyd Morgan are looking forward to a well-deserved reirement.

Together the pair have fostered 97 children and have adopted three youngsters who were finding it difficult to find a loving home.

The couple, both 64, have finally taken the decision to retire. For the last 15 years they have provided foster care through independent agency Alpha Plus Fostering in Hollinwood. And it was there they bade farewell at a special party in their honour.

Manager Cath Carmichael said the pair had made a “marvellous contribution” to the community.

Anne explained the couple came to be foster parents 25 years ago because she wanted 10 children – and her husband didn’t want quite so many.

“We were talking to a friend who worked in an orphanage, and when I heard about some of the things that went on there, I thought no child should have to put up with that.”

The couple have two children of their own, Peter (44) and Kerry (39), but have a huge extended family as many of the children they have fostered over the years have kept in touch.

“We have a caravan and there were 16 of us last weekend,” laughed Anne.

“Those who have grown up bring their own children, and the younger ones come with their adoptive parents. We love it.”

The couple adopted their first two children, a brother and sister, two years ago when there seemed to be no alternative for them. Lauren (10) and Charlie (11), both have autism, and had lived with Anne and Lloyd since birth.

“No-one could be found to adopt them together, so we were told they were thinking of splitting them up to try to find families for them,” said Anne.

“We didn’t want that to happen. They had always lived together, so we went on holiday to talk about it and when we came home we said we would adopt them.”

A third adopted child came in the form of two and a half year old Adam: “When we first saw him he was in intensive care,” said Anne. “I took one look at him, and of all the kids we have had I never felt like I did then. I thought there’s no way he is going anywhere, he’s staying with us.”