Meet Shropshire's longest serving foster carers

Like many proud parents they also have albums of photographs of youngsters who now have youngsters of their own.

But unlike many families, the Humbys have memories of not two or three children, nor six or seven – but of scores of youngsters going back 40 years.

Now the couple, who have given more than 100 children a loving home in Oswestry over the last four decades, are retiring as foster carers.

Pat and Mavis Humby, who this year celebrate their golden wedding anniversairy, are Shropshire's longest-serving foster carers, having cared for babies and children since 1972.

In recognition of their enormous contribution, the couple were presented with an award at a celebratory event hosted by Shropshire Council's children's placement service this week.

It is more than 40 years since their first foster child stepped over their threshold, when their own son and daughter were just three and four years old.

Since then their own two children have grown up to have children of their own – as have many of the foster children who have kept in touch with the couple.

Mrs Humby, 72, said: "Both Pat and myself have thoroughly enjoyed giving children the best start in life and helping them on to a secure and loving home.

"We have been really fortunate in seeing many of them grow up to be parents themselves. If I had a chance I would do it all over again.

"Fostering is incredibly rewarding and we have had many, many happy memories of the children who have come to stay – including all the holidays in our caravan over the years. But it can sometimes be extremely hard work."

She said their own son and daughter, Nicholas and Lisa, treated having a flow of other children – up to five at a time – through their home, as normal.

"I suppose they never knew anything else, most of the time we were a family of seven. But they are both very caring, practical, common sense people and I expect this has played a part in that."

She admitted that she and her husband did get attached to the children."You do have to accept that they will not be with you forever, and that finding a permanent home is the very best thing that can happen," said Mavis.

Some of the children stayed long-term – three for about 20 years. Others came and went. Many are still in regular touch.

"One boy came back a couple of weeks ago with his wife – he is now 42. They had Sunday dinner with us, it was a lovely day."

The Humbys are among 98 foster carers in the county who provide a safe, caring and nurturing home for children in need.

Kath Edwards, Shropshire Council's head of children's safeguarding, said: "Foster carers like Pat and Mavis do a fantastic, rewarding job, and do so much to enrich the lives of children and young people; they are a real credit to our communities." Chris Dennison, Shropshire Council's children's placement and joint adoption manager, added: "Pat and Mavis are truly inspirational. They will be sadly missed."

The Fostering Network estimates that UK fostering services need to recruit a further 9,000 foster families in the next 12 months.

Shropshire Council currently has 100 foster carer households and aims to increase this to around 130.

For more information call 0800 7838 798.