Lynne McDonnell keeps a diary of all the 122 children she has “mothered” – when they came and left, how long they stayed, their birthdays, and memories they’ve shared.
Some of those children were difficult, Ms McDonnell agrees, but all craved four things – love, stability, cuddles and a place to call home.
A carer for 18 years with Melton Foster Care, Ms McDonnell still remembers her first two girls.
“One was five, and one was two-and-a-half, and I remember the day they came into my house,” Ms McDonnell says. “They were very nervous and stayed with me for 12 months, but it was a big learning curve because, naturally, they’re different to your own children.”
While she says she started foster caring for a selfish reason (“I wanted more kids”), Ms McDonnell hasn’t looked back since she started helping out vulnerable little people.
“I’ve seen kids come in with cigarette burns, broken arms – even babies with broken arms and bruises. Nothing shocks me,” she says, holding back tears. “They didn’t ask to be treated like this and then dumped on the street.
“What are we going to go back to? Orphanages? If foster care is turning them away, where do these kids go?
“Look at your children and think about how lucky they are.”
Melton Foster Care manager Jill Wain pleaded with residents to register as volunteers.
“Without caregivers, there is nowhere for these kids to go and they will often end up in residential care,” Ms Wain said.
“A child needs the chance of a roof over their head when their home might be in chaos.”
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