A big-hearted Maryport couple who have opened their arms and home to children in need have been named Cumbria’s Foster Carers of the Year.

Wendy Towers, 47, and husband Lee, 45, started fostering children about eight years ago and have taken in 22 children.

They had five of their own who were growing up and have subsequently adopted two of their foster children.

The couple were named Foster Carers of the Year at the Children in Care Council Awards in Barrow on Sunday.

Wendy said the award was even more meaningful because they were nominated by daughter Shelby, 19.

“It was teary stuff. We were delighted.”

Commenting this week Lee said: “You will never get rich fostering a child but when you see that child do well you are a millionaire.”

Wendy added: “There are so many children out there who need help and we can do it. It is heart wrenching when they leave us but fantastic if we know that they have been adopted into a good home. They all keep in touch which is fantastic – even though it gets a bit expensive at Christmas time!”

The couple have fostered children who needed to be tube-fed, narcotic addiction babies and more. They provide what is needed most – physical care and a lot of love.

And it doesn’t stop there. The couple do a toy collection every year to ensure that no child in care or hospital goes without at Christmas. This year’s collection is about to start and people can leave toys at Eddie Shimmings or 25 Curzon Street, Maryport. The couple ask for new toys only.

The awards, attended by 240 children, young people, foster carers, social workers, teachers and county councillors, was the sixth consecutive year of the Celebrating Us CiCC Awards which celebrate the achievements of children and young people who are looked after, care leavers and the people who support them.

There were 200 nominations. And other winners included Cumbrian care leavers 23-year-old Melissa Heslop of Carlisle who won the Community Volunteering Award and 18-year-old Liam Murphy from Barrow who took home the Inspirational Young Person (over 18) Award.

Melissa is an active member of the Care Leavers Forum who devotes much of her spare time to working for the CiCC and helping at their events. She said: “Even being nominated for this award is great because it means I am helping and making a difference.”

Liam is a key member of the Children in Care Council who has been instrumental in making sure the voices of young people in care are heard. He’s also an incredibly talented musician studying music at college, who still finds time to do voluntary work for a local charity each week.

Liam has lived with his foster carer Alex Finnie since he was 10. Liam said of Alex: “She’s always here for me and I couldn’t ask for a more amazing carer.”

This year’s awards was supported by James Cropper Plc, Sealy UK, BAE Systems, Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd, Jacobs Field Services and Stagecoach.