SOME of the East Riding’s longest-serving foster carers have been honoured at a special event at Beverley Racecourse East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s fostering service held its first autumn ball for foster carers.

Among the guests were two couples who have cared for more than 200 children in many years of fostering. Janet and Nick Dixon, who live near Driffield, have been fostering for more than 40 years.

Janet has fostered since 1973 and Nick began fostering in 1981 when they married. Janet, and later Nick, have cared for at least 114 children in that time.

Helen and Paul Rawdon, from Beverley, have fostered since 1989. They have cared for at least 27 young people on short and long-term placements, and around 100 respite and emergency placements.

The two couples were each presented with vouchers, a glass vase and a certificate in recognition of their long careers as foster carers.

Helen said: “We have been fostering for 25 years and it has been a very rewarding experience. You have to treat every child as an individual because every one is different and I think it has had a very good influence on our own three children as well.”