THE tragedy of losing their only son has led a North-East couple to dedicate their lives to becoming mother and father to more than 70 children from broken homes.

And yesterday, Bob and Brenda Rathbone, of Ormesby, Teesside, were honoured for their work providing foster care for the past 22 years.

But the couple say that the only reward that really matters is being able to offer some stability to youngsters from shattered homes.

They include children such as two sisters who went to the Rathbones for temporary care but ended up staying with them for 12 and ten years respectively, and became the first children in care in the whole of east Cleveland to receive GCSEs.

There are also youngsters such as a little boy who the Rathbones, now in their 50s, have just committed themselves to taking in on long-term fostering.

The couple, who have a grown-up daughter, said that they had always wanted a large family, but after their baby son died they decided to provide foster care instead.

"It's been hard work," said Mr Rathbone, a pub manager in Bowes, County Durham.

"We've had just two what they call break-downs in our time, with two children who we had to send back.

"We've been sworn at, hit, had things stolen from us and even had one child threatening to burn the house down.

"But most people don't realise the positives absolutely outweigh the negatives.

"The rewards you get from giving a child a bit of stability and seeing him or her grow are enormous."

Mrs Rathbone said that, apart from providing long-term foster care, the couple take much pleasure when a child in their care is adopted.

"I had one recently we were taking to a new mother and father and there was a present. I said, 'I can't have you giving me anything' but the social worker said, 'don't worry'.

"It was a poem in a silver box that said something like, 'my love is in this box for you forever.' Well, I was gone from that moment on."

The couple know many children they have helped who live nearby and many return for Christmas. They are in touch with nearly every child they have helped.

Yesterday, they were guests of honour at a ceremony in which foster carers in the area received certificates for long service.

Your chance to foster

Redcar and Cleveland District Council social services department is urgently looking for more people to become foster carers. For more information call (01642) 495910.