When Lee Mackie lost her son Jason in the Afghanistan war she knew the pain of such a loss would stay with her forever. But becoming a foster mum has helped her recovery. Andrew Ffrench reports

Lee Mackie’s world was torn apart in May, 2009 when her son Jason died in Afghanistan.

The 21-year-old marine was killed instantly when the vehicle he was travelling in was struck by an explosive device.

Jason was serving as a Viking All Terrain Vehicle Operator in 3rd Armoured Support Group Royal Marines in the Basharan area of central Helmand when he died.

The village of Bampton in West Oxfordshire, where Ms Mackie lives was immediately plunged into mourning and she has been coming to terms with the loss ever since.

To help her cope, the 59-year-old has been a staunch supporter of the Poppy Appeal in Oxfordshire and also came up with the idea of a memorial bell which would toll to mark repatriation ceremonies in Carterton.

But last year the mother-of-three arrived at a new turning point in her life when she found out about the possibility of fostering.

“It’s one of the most gratifying things I have ever done – it’s awesome,” she said.

“And I am happy to be an ambassador for fostering.”

In June 2013, after hearing a feature about fostering on the radio, Ms Mackie decided she wanted to find out more and called in at the West Oxfordshire District Council offices in Witney to pick up a leaflet.

She then signed up with Oxfordshire County Council and a rigorous vetting procedure got under way before she was accepted for short-term fostering.

In January last year, a baby boy came to stay and left to be rehomed with new parents shortly before his first birthday.

Ms Mackie, who is divorced, felt she was too old to be a long-term fosterer but looking after babies and toddlers has proved the perfect fit.

She was a teacher in travel and tourism at a college in Swindon when Jason was killed but did not return to work.

Ms Mackie added: “I don’t do anything half-heartedly, but I really didn’t feel I had the mojo to go back into teaching after losing Jason.

“The vetting procedure for fostering was very rigorous but there’s a good reason for that – it’s about safeguarding the children and making sure you are the right person for the job.

“It was a very cathartic process for me – they go back through your family life, your married life, your education – and it opened up a lot of doors I had not looked through for a long time.

“It was almost like a form of therapy for me and made me feel a lot better.

“I had a very strong feeling that Jason wanted me to do this – when I got my first child I really felt that Jason had sent him to me so that I could take care of him.

“It was great to be needed by this little thing – it was such a joy.”

Ms Mackie said she was happy to look after babies because at her age she might find if difficult to “lug older children around”.

“The mind is willing but the body is not quite as fit as it used to be,” she added.

Oxford Mail:
Great loss: Ms Mackie’s son, Marine Jason Mackie of 3rd Armoured Support Group Royal Marines, who was killed in Afghanistan on May 14, 2009

“The boy was a little miracle and responded so well to fostering and has gone on to a really great family.

“Of course I felt a bit blue when he left but on the other hand he has gone on to an amazing family and I knew I would be too old to keep him.”

Ms Mackie is now looking after a baby girl.

“She has responded really, really well and will go forward for the adoption process,” she continued.

“Looking after a girl has been so special – she’s a little princess.

“Fostering has totally given me a new lease of life. I’m almost back to normal – back to my old self for the first time since losing Jason and I do feel this is a path Jason has led me down.”

Ms Mackie’s other sons – Richard, 32, a Captain in the Royal Marines, and Alastair, 29, who works in private banking – have also noticed the difference.

“They totally support what I am doing – they think it is amazing and I have an amazing support network of friends,” she said.

“Wherever I go I talk about this and I would recommend that people consider foster care because there is always a shortage. Hopefully I can inspire people to come forward.”