'We've fostered 330 children over 50 years'

A couple in their 70s are celebrating 50 years as foster parents, with no plans to retire.

Michael and Marilyn, from Rochdale, in Greater Manchester - aged 78 and 74 respectively - are celebrating five decades as foster parents, after a local newspaper advert placed by Rochdale Borough Council first caught their eye in 1976.

The couple have since cared for 330 children - with no current plans of stopping. "I would really miss it," Marilyn said.

As some of the UK's longest serving foster carers, the couple have recently received a mayoral recognition award. "We feel privileged and proud," Michael said, reflecting on their time taking children into their home.

The Milnrow couple had been married for five years and had two young children of their own when they began fostering in 1976.

They heard the local authority was looking for foster carers who could look after very young babies - and said they knew straight away that another child would "fit right in" at their home.

"It was lovely to have another little one about, I loved it," Marilyn said, recalling their first placement.

"She was about two days old when she came to us, and we had her for two and a half months.

"I can still remember sitting in our living room, the night before she left us at the end of her placement, and crying thinking, 'What am I going to do without this baby?'

"So, it snowballed from there and now we probably care for four or five children a year."

After jokingly recalling sleepless nights and night-time feeds, Michael said this part of foster care had "become a part of their life" - with four hours of sleep fairly common for the retired couple.

Michael said his wife Marilyn is like a mother to the hundreds of children they have taken care of over the years - with many coming back to visit and some even bringing along their own children to meet the couple.

"Some of them just want a cuddle from Marilyn," said Michael. "She's like a mother to them - that's the sort of stuff that can be missing in their lives.

"We've been to weddings, adoption parties, christenings, 18th and 21st birthday parties," Marilyn added.

"It's lovely when you think you started off with them as a baby and now they've grown.

"We've had letters from adoptive parents saying, 'They've turned out like they have because of you', which is nice."

Michael and Marilyn are currently caring for three children - the youngest of which is just seven weeks old.

Michael said he and his wife would likely begin to reduce the number of children they cared for - but said they were not at that stage yet.

"We're fit and healthy, but you don't know what is round the corner," Marilyn added.

"I think we'll know when we get that phone call one day and they say, 'We've got a baby for you' and we'll know it's our time."

The pair were recently recognised with a mayoral award for their services to fostering.

"Michael and Marilyn are an extraordinary example of the love, stability and care that foster carers bring into a child's life," councillor Rachel Massey said.

"Their dedication over the last 50 years has transformed the futures of hundreds of local children and young people and they are living proof that what matters most is kindness, patience and the willingness to open your home and heart to a child who needs it.

"We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done for our borough's children and for the inspiration they continue to provide to others."

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