Foster Mum Has Received Hundreds Of Cards For Mother's Day

A mum has received more than 100 Mother's Day cards after spending six years as a foster mum. How sweet is that?

Fiona Oldfield says she treasures each and every card she's ever received from the children she's looked after over the years.

Thirty-seven-year-old Fiona says she always wanted to become a foster parent after growing up in care, and wanting to provide a happy home for children.

Foster Care Associate

So, her and husband Paul, who live in the West Midlands, joined Foster Care Associates (FCA) and have now fostered more than 15 children in over six years.

She currently has four brothers - all aged six and under - as well as three birth children, a 13-year-old son, and daughters who are 10 and eight.

The couple also provide a home for 18-year-old Shannon Clifton, who they had previously fostered as a child.

Although most of the children the couple have fostered have moved on elsewhere, they still send cards to Fiona on Mother's Day.

As you can imagine, with so many people living under-one roof life can be a little bit hectic.

On an average day, Fiona is up and out early to ensure that the six kids arrive at the four different schools they attend. The family also make their way through 14 loaves of bread, 70 bananas and 84 pints of milk every week.

But there's no rest for Fiona, even on Mother's Day, as she cooks a roast dinner for the entire family, as well as some kids she's previously fostered, before they all settle down and watch films together.

Fiona said: "I love Mother's Day, though it gets harder every year to find space for all the presents and cards.

"My most rewarding moment as a foster carer came on Mother's Day a few years ago, when Shannon, who wasn't living with me at the time, sent me a handwritten Mother's Day card.

"It really meant a lot that she took the time to do so, and now she lives with me full time as an adult. It's great to have impacted someone's life so much. My birth children see her as an older sister and adore her and their four brothers.

"It breaks my heart to know that there is currently a shortfall of 8,000 foster families across the UK. All you need is to be over 21, with a spare room, and willing to give a child a loving and stable home. This Mother's Day, I'd urge anyone with love to give to stop for a minute and think about it."

Topics: Inspirational, UK

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19