A FOSTER carer from Rugby received an exclusive invitation to the Queen’s Royal Garden Party after 20 years of caring in the community.
In her role as a placement support carer, Norma Wilson has fostered 130 children and worked with other families providing care over the last two decades.
She has also helped arrange a yearly Christmas party for carers, their birth children and foster children, welcoming 180 adults and children annually – and has created more than 700 hampers for young people who do not have any family to support them over Christmas.
The hampers contain everyday food items, chocolates, crisps and other treats as well as a small gift like toiletries. Norma raises money and supplies for the party, gifts and hampers from local businesses as well as contributions from staff and other foster carers.
Norma described the Royal garden party as a “perfect day” where she joined 8,000 others in seeing the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The royal pair both stopped to talk to guests and were interested in the work they did and the support they gave to their communities.
Norma said: “The whole day was lovely; even though there were so many people there I still felt special.”
Warwickshire County Council health spokesman Coun Les Caborn added: “Norma thoroughly deserves to be recognised for the many years she has spent fostering, and the huge support she has given to other carers and young people in Warwickshire.
“A huge well done to Norma for bringing such positivity and enthusiasm to such a worthwhile and rewarding cause.”
Chair of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee Coun Dave Parsons said: “Norma is known in the community for her hard work and determination to help those who are most vulnerable.
“She will always lend a helping hand and succeed in bringing happiness to Warwickshire carers and young people.”
For more information about fostering for Warwickshire, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fostering or contact Central Fostering on 0800 408 1556.
