A CHILDRENS’ charity has urged people to consider fostering after figures showed that only 24 per cent of people in the area would consider taking a child into their home.

Action for Children is taking part in the Foster Care Fortnight campaign, which aims to tackle to shortage of foster carers in the UK.

The charity is supported by Loraine Davison (CORR), 50, from Aiskew, near Bedale, who has been fostering for almost 20 year and who currently cares for two boys who have disabilities.

Mrs Davison said: "I was working in a special school some 11 years ago and there was a little boy in my class who was waiting for a foster family. Nobody came forward and I just couldn’t bear the fact that he had nobody, so I spoke to my partner and we agreed to offer our home.

"He is now 18 and we’ve recently started to care for another boy, aged 10. Both have been accepted as members of our family and it has been wonderful to see the positive impact this has had on everyone involved."

Action for Children is trying to dispel some of the myths around fostering and hopes to encourage more people to come forward.

Jill Thorburn, group manager for fostering and adoption at Action for Children, said: "We believe there are many myths surrounding fostering and that these prevent people from getting involved. Our plea during this campaign is that you contact us to find out; our fostering service will gladly answer all your questions."

To find out more about fostering with Action for Children call 01642-249452 or email fostering@actionforchildren.org.uk