Retford: Local woman joins celebrities in calling for more foster carers in the county

A foster carer from Retford is joining a host of TV stars to help launch a new appeal for more people to come forward as carers across the East Midlands today.
Julie Chester-Stirling and foster son Danny are backing the calls for more foster carers in NottsJulie Chester-Stirling and foster son Danny are backing the calls for more foster carers in Notts
Julie Chester-Stirling and foster son Danny are backing the calls for more foster carers in Notts

Foster mum Julie Chester-Stirling has fostered for Barnardo’s for 10 years and has agreed to share her story in a bid to encourage more people from the region to come forward.

She is joined by TOWIE’s Debbie and Lydia Bright along with actress Lynda Bellingham in launching today’s appeal for more foster carers in the Notts area.

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Julie and the three stars have movingly revealed how fostering has touched their lives in a bid to encourage more people to come forward.

There are 500 more foster carers desperately needed across the East Midlands to provide stable, loving homes for some of society’s most vulnerable children. Barnardo’s is looking for local couples and individuals to take on this challenging but highly-rewarding work.

Danny first met his foster mum Julie just before Christmas 2005 at the age of 10.

He had been having a tough time – separated from his sisters and birth parents and with a string of broken down foster placements – and he wasn’t sure what to expect from the meeting.

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But the two hit it off immediately and Danny returned to spend Christmas Day with Julie’s husband and older son, going on to become their first long-term foster child.

Danny still lives at home, calls Julie mum and is a very much loved and important member of the family.

Danny is about to start his final year of college which will see him fully qualify as a site joiner and is spending his summer helping out his brother as a labourer.

He’s also planning on spending time with his girlfriend of 14 months.

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He says he has enjoyed a wonderful childhood as part of Julie’s family and can’t imagine life any other way.

If you think you could give a child a home , contact Barnardo’s East Midlands family placement team on 01332 544711.