Kate to be presented with quilts for George and Charlotte

The Duchess of Cambridge will be presented with quilts for Prince George and Princess Charlotte when she attends an award ceremony celebrating foster carers and their families on Tuesday.

Kate will be given the gifts for her young children at the 2015 Fostering Excellence Awards in London, the charity The Fostering Network said.

TV presenter Holly Willoughby is hosting the event and the Duchess will meet children and young people, foster carers, social workers and care leavers at the special tea party.

Kate will also present three young people with the Fostering Achievement Award, which celebrates extraordinary achievements by 16 to 24 year olds who have been fostered.

The quilts for George and Charlotte were crafted under the supervision of Terrance Gilbert, from Kent, who is also being honoured for his support of fostered children.

His group Helping Hands has, over the years, made thousands of quilts for children in foster care which they are given as a special childhood memento.

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: "The Duchess will be presenting an award to three young people who have shown how far determination, a good attitude, and proper support and stability can get you.

"Sadly not every young person has a positive start in life, but The Fostering Network, foster carers and all those involved in working with fostered young people throughout the UK will continue to strive to make life better for them."

Children's minister Edward Timpson, whose parents fostered nearly 90 children when he was growing up, will present an award to sons and daughters of foster carers who have made an exceptional contribution to fostering households.

Mr Timpson said: "As a son of foster carers myself, I know just how important this is - it's a chance to be part of a family."

The Fostering Network says that more than 64,000 children live with over 55,000 foster families across the UK, while they are unable to live at home, having often experienced neglect and abuse, or witnessed domestic violence or substance misuse.

Around 8,370 new foster families are needed in the UK this year, particularly to care for teenagers, disabled children and groups of brothers and sisters.