Dedicated carers receive Royal letter of commendation for 30 years of fostering children in Northampton

A couple from Northampton who have been foster carers for 30 years have received a special letter of commendation from the Duchess of Cambridge.
Cllr Matthew Golby with Steve and Jenny Harris and their letter of commendation from Kensington Palace.Cllr Matthew Golby with Steve and Jenny Harris and their letter of commendation from Kensington Palace.
Cllr Matthew Golby with Steve and Jenny Harris and their letter of commendation from Kensington Palace.

Steve and Jenny Harris, from Northampton, have fostered about 150 children and young people since they were approved as Northamptonshire County Council foster carers in 1986.

Steve said: “We didn’t know what to expect when we saw the envelope with the Kensington Palace seal on it and it was a lovely surprise to open the letter.

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“We really don’t seek publicity for what we do but it is incredibly nice to be acknowledged. If it encourages other people to look into fostering, that can only be a good thing.”

County council cabinet member for families Cllr Matthew Golby wrote to the Duchess of Cambridge, who recently presented the national Fostering Excellence Awards, to highlight the couple’s long service and was delighted to receive a letter of thanks for Steve and Jenny, which he hand-delivered to them last week.

Councillor Golby said: “It was an honour to be able to congratulate Steve and Jenny for their dedication to fostering with this special letter from Kensington Palace.

“We know that fostering is close to Kate’s heart and she has supported a number of fostering events in recent months, so we wanted to bring to her attention Steve and Jenny’s 30 years of fostering.

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“I was delighted to be able to pass on her letter of commendation and personally give my own thanks to the Harris family for the difference they have made to the lives of so many looked after children in Northamptonshire.”

The couple also received a special honour at Northamptonshire County Council’s Foster Carer Awards last month.

The county council is always looking to recruit more foster carers who can offer a loving and stable home to a looked after child.

Foster carers will benefit from a full training and support package, and carers receive a competitive weekly payment which is higher than the government recommended rates. To find out more, visit www.fosterme.co.uk or call 0300 126 1009.