A HYDE couple who have spent nearly half a century opening their home to vulnerable children were invited to Buckingham Palace.
Sue and Pete Williams attended the King’s Garden Party after becoming Tameside Council’s longest-serving foster carers, having supported children and young people for 46 years.
The couple, aged 73 and 82, began fostering in 1980 and have since cared for dozens of children, alongside raising their own four kids.
Speaking about the royal invitation, in recognition of their extraordinary commitment to fostering, Sue said: “The best moment was when King Charles and Queen Camilla came out. Even though we didn’t get to meet them, it was still an honour.
“We enjoyed the afternoon, met some lovely people and were very well looked after. We’re so glad we went.”
Their recognition comes during Foster Care Fortnight, the national campaign celebrating foster carers and encouraging more people to consider fostering.
Over the years, Sue and Pete have provided 27 placements and built lifelong relationships with many of the children they supported. Their family has also grown significantly, with the couple now having 34 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sue explained that fostering began from a simple desire to share the kind of upbringing she experienced herself.
She said: “We first started fostering because I’ve always wanted a big family. I had a beautiful childhood, and I wanted to be able to give that to other children.”
Both balanced fostering with full-time jobs for many years, with Sue working in a children’s unit and Pete employed as a machinist before continuing to foster into retirement.
Reflecting on their experience, Sue said: “I’ve learnt, and I’m still learning, a lot from the children and young people we’ve cared for. It’s special when you reach a point where you’ve earned their trust and they feel able to open up to you.
“Our proudest moments are when the children we’ve cared for come back to us and we see everything they’ve achieved in life.”
Pete added: “You shouldn’t think of them as a lodger but instead as a part of your family. You get out of fostering what you put in.”
The couple say some of the bonds formed through fostering have lasted a lifetime.
Sue said: “We’ve walked those we’ve cared for down the aisle; one even got our names tattooed on his arms to express how we’ll be with him forever. Others have been inspired to be the difference and become children’s social workers, which makes us incredibly proud.”
Jill Colbert OBE, Tameside Council’s Director of Children’s Services, praised the pair’s dedication.
She said: “This invitation from the King highlights how valued the role of foster carers are to our community and this is much deserved recognition for Sue and Pete. Thank you for all of the time, passion, and kindness you’ve given and shown our children and young people.”
Tameside Council says anybody aged over 21 with a spare room and a safe, supportive home environment can apply to foster, by calling 0300 303 0321, emailing enquire@fosterforgm.com or visiting www.fosterforgm.com/tameside.