Praised for their selfless commitment, a silent army of foster carers took centre stage at a special reception thrown in Cannizaro House last week.

The event laid on by Merton Council on Friday aimed to recognise the difference they make to hundreds of children every year, with one foster career in particular receiving special praise.

Doris Barrett has fostered more than 45 children over the last decade, and was presented with a long-service award during the event at the exclusive Wimbledon hotel.

And as the authority launches a drive for more families to volunteer as part of national foster carers’ fortnight, one family has shared their experience of giving young children “a shot at the future”.

Jacqui and Richard Brownnut who have two daughters of their own, aged six and eight, have been fostering for three and a half years.

Mrs Brownnut said: "We started fostering when our daughters were three and five years old and it worked really well.

"I used to be a teacher and after having children I reconsidered what I wanted to do - whether to go back to teaching or to try something else like childminding or fostering.

"I realised a career in fostering meant I could utilise the many skills I had already gained, by being a teacher and a parent to my own children.

"It meant I could do a job at home while still being mum to our two daughters."

The first child the couple fostered stayed for more than two years before going on to be adopted.

Mrs Brownnut said: “When he left I cried, but you do bounce back and it didn't take us long to move on and focus on the next child.

“Often these children are not born into what they deserve and knowing we as a family can offer them some happiness and hopefully make a real difference in their lives is hugely rewarding. We give them a shot at a good future.”

To find out more about fostering, log on to merton.gov.uk/fostering or call 020 8545 4277.