A WOMAN who has fostered 190 children over forty years has been awarded an MBE.

Kathleen Buckley, 70, of Consett, County Durham, began caring for youngsters with her late husband George, a plumber, when the couple’s own two children were young.

Mrs Buckley, who still does emergency and respite fostering, is getting the award for services to children and families.

Her citation says that she “continues to inspire and support others to care for vulnerable children."

It adds: “She has cared for children with a wide range of needs, including disability. Her understanding of complex behaviours ensured that children have worked through their traumas to a recovery better than anticipated.

“Care and support has varied from overnight stays to decades after the placement has ended, and she remains a mother figure to many.

“She has helped to return many children to their birth parents, continuing to offer support after they go home."

For many years she cared for babies pre-adoption. She has been active in family-finding for 40 children, travelling all over England and Scotland to give prospective adopters key information.

She remains in contact offering advice and support post adoption, including providing respite care for adoptive parents, on a voluntary basis.

Mrs Buckley said: “It is an honour, especially when you do something just because you enjoy it. My husband died three years ago and he is a big part of it.

“The hardest thing is that I haven’t been able to tell anyone.”