MICHAEL and Linda Kelly feared that being in their 50s would make them too old to become foster parents.

But five years and six children later they are still offering a safe home to vulnerable youngsters.

And now they want other people to come forward and make a difference.

The Kellys, from Wantage, foster through Foster Care Associates (FCA), the UK’s largest independent fostering agency, which has just launched a new campaign to recruit carers in Oxfordshire.

There are currently 8,750 fostering vacancies in the UK and FCA is interested in recruiting people to care for children with emotional needs and challenging behaviour.

Grandfather-of-one Mr Kelly, 57, said: “My wife Linda and I often thought about fostering when we were younger, but I was in the armed forces and we moved around a lot.

“When I came out of the Army I joined the prison service, working with adults and then juveniles. Then, about six years ago, we talked about it again and wondered whether we had got too old.

“But five years on, we have offered six different children a home.”

Mr Kelly added: “Some of these youngsters often just need a stable place to stay for a while, so they can get sorted and move on.

“Others end up staying with you longer term.

“Of course, it’s not a walk in the park. Some of the children come from troubled backgrounds, but you deal with what comes up, set boundaries and move on.”

Mrs Kelly, 54, said: “You just need to be able to offer them a spare room and some love and care and a stable environment.

“And when that child turns around and says ‘thank you’, you know that you have played a part towards giving them a better life.”

FCA Thames Valley is looking for foster carers who can provide a safe and stable family setting for vulnerable children, from babies up to 18-year-olds.

Foster carers are paid. And the agency welcomes single people, same sex, married or cohabiting couples from all ethnic backgrounds.

Area manager Sarah Dimmelow said: “It can be difficult coping with the complex emotional and behavioural issues.

“But to see them develop and achieve new goals or just to start smiling again is a massively rewarding experience for foster carers.”

news@oxfordmail.co.uk For further information about fostering and FCA call 0800 023 4561 or visit the website iwanttofoster.com