A lifetime of dedication is rewarded for foster carers who show no sign of slowing down

The couple have dedicated their lives to providing care for hundreds of children at their time of need, and even moved from Seacroft in Leeds to Bridlington to give three disabled children they were caring for a better life.

The couple’s caring life was sparked when they took in Mrs Bennett’s four younger siblings just a year after they married in the late 1960s. Mr Bennett estimates they’ve fostered around 300 children, including a number with special care needs.

Living in Bridlington gives the children, who all come from the Leeds area, the chance to experience life at the beach and the couple even bought a caravan for short breaks to ensure that children had happy memories of their time in care.

Mr Bennett, 66, said: “To see the happiness in the children’s faces makes it all worthwhile. When you get into fostering, you don’t expect a reward, to have an MBE is unbelievable.”

At one point, the couple were looking after 12 children, including their own and their two adopted sons, and were forced to sleep in their conservatory so everyone could have a bed.

They have since moved to a former hotel to ensure there is plenty of space and show no signs of slowing down, as they’re fostering a six-year old girl, and have a son, and two older fostered men at home, and hope to celebrate 50 years of fostering.

Many of the children they’ve looked after become extended family, including three sisters, who had serious health problems including cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis, who first stayed with them 15 years ago. It was because of their breathing difficulties that they moved to the coast.

Mrs Bennett, said: “I wouldn’t do anything else. When I got the letter I thought it was a hoax. I was flabbergasted.”