Kate to celebrate fostering network success

Updated

The Duchess of Cambridge is to celebrate the success of fostered children and their families.

Kate is attending The Fostering Network's 2015 Fostering Excellence Awards in London where she will chat to children and young people, foster carers, social workers and care leavers at a special tea party.

The Duchess will be presented with quilts for Prince George and Princess Charlotte, which were made under the supervision of Terrance Gilbert, from Kent, who is being honoured for his support of children in foster care.

Mr Gilbert's group Helping Hands has, over the years, made thousands of quilts for fostered children which they are given as a special childhood memento.

TV presenter Holly Willoughby is hosting the event and the Duchess will hand over an award to three young people, who were fostered, in recognition of their achievements.

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 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.

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