Two Northumberland foster care supporters have been awarded a Foster Talk award for their ongoing commitment to foster carers in Northumberland. 

 

Fee and Neil Purvis who own The Northumberland Arms in Bedlington have been supporting the County Council’s Fostering Team since 2019 and received the Foster Talk Supporters Award in May as recognition for their hard work and dedication.  

 

Since 2019 they have provided free advertising through their own communication channels, and for the past two years donated £1000 to the Northumberland County Council Christmas appeal for children and young people in need of which they are also a collection point for gifts from across the county. 

 

Fee said: “Winning the Foster Talk award means a great deal to me as I know that I am making a significant impact to the life of a child in many ways. This gives me a real sense of happiness knowing that my support is having an immediate impact on them and will hopefully support them in their future. 

 

“I've always had a love for ensuring children are safe, happy and feel appreciated. I always endeavour to put everyone's needs first, knowing that my help and support is giving these children a happier, healthier and more successful future inspires me to continue providing this support.   As a result, I am more thankful for the opportunity to be able to help children in need who are less fortunate than others.” 

 

The last 15-months have been hard on everyone, with businesses having to close due to the pandemic. Fee and Neil’s business was no different having to close for the majority of 2020 and the early part of 2021, but despite this and other personal losses they have continued to support the Christmas appeal and fostering recruitment efforts. 

 

Always putting others first, the community-minded duo have given up a considerable amount of their time to help the Northumberland Fostering Team recruit more carers not only in their local town but also the wider county, as well as supporting local families in the area.  

 

Cath McEvoy-Carr, Executive Director for Adult and Children’s Services, said: “I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Fee and Neil on winning this award. It is thanks to supporters such as them that the Fostering Team are able to widen their recruitment efforts and reach local communities in a way they possibly couldn’t otherwise.  It is for this reason that the fostering team wanted to nominate them for the award so the support they give could be nationally recognised.”