From foster carer to torch bearer

10 July 2012

As a foster carer for more than 25 years, Julia Chilcott from Allington, near Maidstone, has brought light into many children’s lives. Now the 55-year-old will carry the light of the Olympic flame as a London 2012 torchbearer.

Julia, who was nominated for her commitment to foster care, is one of 8,000 torchbearers. She will carry the flame on Thursday 19 July to its overnight stop at Leeds Castle, where an evening celebration will be held.

Together with her husband Bill, she has fostered more than 80 children. They now do respite foster care. This provides regular breaks from home, mostly for a few days, so that children and young people can live with their own family for the rest of the time. They also look after children while their foster carers are on leave.

Julia said: “I am really looking forward to it; I’ve got permanent butterflies now! It is going to be an amazing experience, especially as I’ve got the final leg of the day so I will be carrying the torch to the celebration event at Leeds Castle. I don’t know what motivated my husband to nominate me and I was surprised to be chosen because they are so many worthy people out there. That said, I am thrilled it is going to be me.

“The other foster carers I’ve spoken to are really pleased that someone in our field has been chosen. It is also a great opportunity to give foster care a plug. I would really recommend it and encourage people to find out more as there are a lot of misconceptions out there. Whether it’s full time care or the respite care that Bob and I provide, it is a rewarding vocation.”

As well as the Torch Relay, Julia will be taking part in the Maidstone Mile on Friday 20 July in aid of the Heart of Kent Hospice. (www.maidstonemile.com)

Foster care is provided for children or young people who are unable to live with their parents for a variety of reasons. Care can be for a night or longer term while work is done to return them to their family, be that parents or close relatives – or they are considered for adoption. There are also specialist fostering schemes to support children and young people with complex needs.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services, Jenny Whittle, said: “What an honour for Julia and well-deserved after many years of being a foster carer. She will be a brilliant ambassador for foster care and it is great that the Torch Relay organisers recognised the profession when going through the many nominations that were submitted.”

For more information about fostering with Kent County Council, log on to www.kent.gov.uk/fostering or call 0845 330 2968.