Foster parents in Middlesbrough received awards from the mayor yesterday.
Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon presented long-service awards to 27 carers.
He said: "This group of people have given years of their lives so that young people have been able to have what so many take for granted - a happy, stable home.
"Their selflessness and commitment to the welfare of young people really deserves recognition and I hope it encourages more people to get involved in fostering."
Middlesbrough has 100 foster carers, enough to meet current needs, but the fostering service estimates it needs about another 25 carers to improve the choice of placements and to provide breaks for long-serving carers.
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