Two Foster Carers with Hearts of Diamonds!

10/06/2010

Admirable couple, Sharon and Marty Weir have won this year's MediCare Pharmacy Group Foster Carer of the Year. The Ballymena couple won the title at the Hearts of Diamonds Ball, this year's annual Fostering Network awards held recently at the Galgorm Resort, Ballymena.

Foster carers for over 20 years, Sharon and Marty have fostered 50 children throughout their time. They have opened their home to children for just a few days through to long term arrangements including adoption. This aside, they also have four children of their own!
The pair were nominated by their Social Worker, Rosie Orr, who cant praise them enough.
"They are a modest, down to earth couple who don't consider themselves to be special. However, we feel that they are exceptional carers who always go the extra mile. They have literally moved walls within their home to accommodate the needs of the children they look after. They are also actively involved in training and helping other carers to develop their skills."

They were also nominated by 14 year old Shannon who explained, "I have been living with Marty and Sharon since I was a year old. Sharon is the best person I've ever met. She and Marty have given me a brilliant home, a brilliant family and a good school. I'm glad I met Sharon and Marty because they have brightened up my life. If I hadn’t met them, I don't know where I would be now."

Sharon and Marty admit fostering can be hard work at times but that it has given them many rewards. Not only do they have a very busy household, they also help to train other foster carers and pass on some of their experience and advice. Marty presents workshops to other men in foster care and thinks that Dads have an important role to play in families. He describes himself as the backup person. Having worked with children who have suffered from the effects of maternal alcohol abuse, Sharon and her friend Coleen, also a foster carer, have given talks to teenagers in schools about the danger of drinking in pregnancy and have shared the knowledge that they have gained with other professionals.

Sharon and Marty's modest, calm approach to life impresses all who meet them. They have described winning the award as the "icing on the cake".

Michael Guerin, Managing Director of MediCare Pharmacy Group, commented: "Sharon and Marty really impressed me having fostered 50 children over the past 20 years. I feel that they are more than special, they are exceptional, especially when you consider they have 4 children of their own. They and the other foster carers I met have made a huge difference to the lives of the children they have cared for through the years."

The Fostering Network is the UK's leading charity for everyone with a personal or professional involvement in fostering. Based in Belfast, The Fostering Network Northern Ireland provides learning and development opportunities for foster carers and fostering services, as well as information and advice for anyone involved in fostering.

To find out more about The Foster Network or to get involved, visit www.fostering.net or telephone (028) 9070 5056.