Foster mother receives more than 100 Mother’s Day cards over six years of looking after children

‘It’s great to have impacted someone’s life so much’

(Foster Care Associates/Shaun Fellows/Shinepix)

A foster mother has received more than 100 Mother's Day cards over years of looking after children.

Fiona Oldfield, from the West Midlands, has been a foster carer for six years.

Throughout that time, the 37-year-old has fostered more than 15 children, in addition to raising her three children with her husband, Paul.

Having grown up in the care system, Mrs Oldfield always knew she wanted to foster children.

The foster carer is currently looking after four brothers, who are all under the age of six.

(Foster Care Associates/Shaun Fellows/Shinepix (Foster Care Associates/Shaun Fellows/Shinepix)

In addition to the four brothers and her three children, who range in age from eight to 13, Mrs Oldfield also lives with 18-year-old Shannon Clifton, who moved in with the family after being fostered by them as a child.

Mrs Oldfield's says that her "most rewarding moment" as a foster carer came a few years ago, when Ms Clifton sent her a handwritten Mother's Day card.

"It really meant a lot that she took the time to do so, and now she lives with me full time as an adult," the foster carer says.

"It's great to have impacted someone's life so much. My birth children see her as an older sister and adore her and their four brothers."

Mrs Oldfield fosters children through Foster Care Associates (FCA).

In addition to Mother's Day cards, the foster carer says that she also expected to receive flowers, chocolates and pictures of children on Sunday 31 March.

In the past, she's been sent photographs of children that she previously looked after from their current foster families.

"I love Mother's Day, though it gets harder every year to find space for all the presents and cards!" Mrs Oldfield says.

The foster carer has implored "anyone with love" to consider opening up their homes to foster children.

“It breaks my heart to know that there is currently a shortfall of 8,000 foster families across the UK," she says.

"All you need is to be over 21, with a spare room, and willing to give a child a loving and stable home."