I responded to an advert I saw for a new scheme to foster older children who were harder to place. It's the best phone call I've ever made.

My family had grown up, leaving me with a very quiet house. I wanted to give a child a secure and loving home and give them the opportunities that our children had.

I've been fostering teenagers, long term for 11 years now for Stockport Council. The hardest thing is still coming to terms with what the children have had to endure and not being judgemental. But it's so rewarding to be responsible for a young person and make a difference to their life.

I've had good support and training, I only wish we had done it sooner. We became foster carers at 50, when most people are planning to take life easier! To anyone who's thinking about fostering, I'd say it's a life changing decision. You need a lot of love in your heart, patience, understanding and a good network of support, but go ahead and you can change a young person's life.

My girls said one Mother's Day how lucky they were. I said 'no, I'm the lucky one'. After the sad death of my only son and then 2 years later, the sudden death of my husband, the word 'luck' wasn't in my vocabularly. But these girls have given me a focus in life and I hope for many more years of happiness.