By Chris Story

Last updated 11:38, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

A MARYPORT couple who have fostered 150 children are off to Buckingham Palace for Royal recognition this week.

Honour: Barry and Susan Shearman were honoured in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and are planning their trip to London to collect their medals

Susan and Barry Shearman will collect their MBEs on Friday in honour of the life-changing work they have done helping youngsters in need for nearly 28 years.

The couple’s nomination praised their “resilience and determination to see placements through in the face of adversity”. They have also used their experience to advise and support to other carers.

During their time working with Cumbria County Council’s children’s services team, Mr and Mrs Shearman have also brought up their own family.

Mrs Shearman believes fostering brings its own rewards but is delighted to have been nominated for an MBE.

She said: “We get a huge lot of satisfaction from taking these children into the looked-after system – through no fault of their own – and seeing them achieve and do well.

“They are our future generation. To turn these kids around and see them do well is a huge boost. The difference you can make to these children’s lives is unbelievable.

“We have had one girl for eight years. She has been to college and got a distinction in childcare. It is such a buzz to see these kids make something of their lives.

“It is hard work. You needs lots of patience and love, but if you back them 100 per cent, the rewards speak for themselves.”

The Shearmans first became involved in fostering after hearing a radio appeal. They currently have five foster children aged between 11 and 21 living with them.

Many of the children they adopted early on are now aged in their 40s and have their own children and grandchildren. The couple have been invited to many of their weddings and christenings and still keep in touch with many of them.

“It is fantastic of them still to think of us,” Mrs Shearman said.

The couple were preparing to travel to London as an appeal was made yesterday to mark the beginning of Foster Care Fortnight.

Nearly 800 new foster carers are needed in the north west – the highest of all English regions – to care for children over the next year alone. A total of 4,230 new foster carers are needed nationwide.

In Cumbria, the county’s fostering team is appealing for at least 30 more fostering households and another 10 carers for their shared care scheme.

A county council spokesman said: “New carers are needed to replace carers retiring over the next few years and to improve the choice of placements available, so that when children need a foster placement they do not need have to leave their school and friends.

“Currently carers are needed for children of all ages, especially carers who can look after teenagers and sibling groups.”

The Fostering Network charity’s recruitment campaign: “Fostering: recognising the qualities you’ve got” aims to encourage people to realise they may share the same qualities of current fosterers.

It hopes to highlight the qualities needed, including being optimistic, having good listening skills, being able to see things from a child’s point of view and having a sense of humour.

The current shortfall of carers means children are being placed a long distance from their families, being moved from home to home and split up from their siblings.

CStory@cngroup.co.uk