Fostering takes love and dedication and Ros and Warren Whalley have been doing it for more than 40 years.

The couple, who became foster carers more 49 years ago, join Derek and Sue, and Chris and John, who have also achieved the 40-year milestone.

This year’s foster care fortnight takes place between May 10 and May 23 and the theme is #whywecare.

Ros and Warren’s fostering journey began when their own children were small and they have cared for hundreds of children and young people over the past 49 years.

The couple’s dedication was rewarded in 2015 with an MBE in the Queen’s Honours List.

Warren said: “We got into fostering more than 40 years ago when our own children David, Glen, Carl and Sam were young.

“We’re very involved in community activities, such as the local rugby club and church groups, and fostering felt like a natural progression.

“We wanted to support local children and their families too.

“We primarily care for newborn babies and often begin caring for them soon after birth, straight from hospital.

“Young babies often have very regular family time with their parents and wider family, to give them the best chances of successfully reuniting once whatever needs the family have, have been resolved.“ The meetings with babies and their families often take place at a children's centre up to five times a week and it’s an important part of what Ros and Warren do.

Sometimes, the best option for some children will be adoption, and the couple work closely with adoptive families, welcoming them into their home for introductions in the days and weeks before they officially move to their forever family.

Ros said: “It’s so lovely to see the babies thrive.

“They each have their own little personality and the satisfaction of knowing we have kept them safe, warm and given them the best possible start in life is a feeling like no other.

“Each baby is part of our family, for however long they need to be here, and beyond.

“Our own children and grandchildren don’t know any different.

“We’re a big family anyway and often go on holiday to places like Australia - of course, the babies always come with us.

“We’ve kept in touch with many of the babies we’ve fostered over the years.

“As we’ve been doing it for so long, some of them are now in their 40s with children and grandchildren themselves.

“We’ve even been to some of our babies’ weddings!”

The royal honour six years ago was unexpected but gratefully received and the couple travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive the MBE from Prince Charles.

Ros said: “Receiving the MBE in 2015 was a really unexpected honour.

“Meeting Prince Charles was lovely and he told us we were an inspiration.

“We were truly humbled.

“We even took the baby who we were caring for at the time with us on the day.

“We knew it would be something exceptional for their memory book and they were as good as gold.”

For more information about fostering visit www.foster4.co.uk or call 01925 444100.

You can also email fosteringrecruitment@warrington.gov.uk or use @foster4cheshire on Facebook and Instagram.

More than 57,000 in foster care

Did you know that there are more than 57,000 children and young people living with foster carers in England?

Around 1,000 of these youngsters live with the 450 Foster4 foster carers in Cheshire in Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington local authorities.

Some carers have been newly approved this year while others have been fostering for 10, 20 or 30 years with one couple, Ros and Warren, becoming foster carers more than 40 years ago.

Next week, we will be celebrating the anniversary milestones for some of the dedicated carers old and new.

We will be focusing on what they have achieved, including how the newest recruits felt when welcoming their first child or sibling group into their family, as well as looking at the challenges they have experienced as carers together with their proudest moments.