Foster carer Lorraine Taylor from Banff wins top award at Moray and Banffshire Heroes
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FOSTER carer Lorraine Taylor looks back with fondness on more than 40 years of providing emotional and practical support to children in need.
Lorraine, from Banff, along with her husband Eddie, has fostered more than 250 children in that time.
That record of service to vulnerable children saw her named Carer of the Year at the Moray and Banffshire Heroes awards in Elgin last Thursday night.
And there were double delight for Lorraine, who was unable to attend the awards ceremony in the Mansefield Hotel in person but watched live on Facebook, when she was named the overall Hero of Heroes award.
Her grandson Sean Christie collected both awards on her behalf.
Lorraine said: "I am just he same as anybody else. There are lots of carers out there."
She was honoured to have been nominated for her work - which saw her awarded an MBE in 2007 - and said she has many good memories from the last 40 years.
"We still hear from a lot of the children we have fostered. It was challenging at times but very rewarding," added Lorraine.
She and Eddie, who have three children of their own, wanted to provide children in difficult circumstances with a stable home to give them the best chance in life.
The couple celebrated their golden wedding last September but due to the pandemic were unable to enjoy a party, sao instead used the money they had saved for the occasion to buy a defibrillator for the medical centre in Banff. They had previously bought defibs for outside the Crown chippy and Banff Bowling Club from their 70th birthdays.
Carer of the Year was sponsored by Parklands and Springfield group was sponsor of the overall Hero of Heroes.
Lorraine and Eddie had to step down as carers the day before the awards due to ill health.
"Both of us had the privilege of being cared for at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by a band of angels and archangels."
Lorraine will celebrate her award properly when she takes delivery of her third trophy - her hubby Eddie returning home from hospital after treatment for acute pancreatis.
She thanked the hundreds of people who have sent messages and voted for her.
"I had one wee boy, who's now a man, message me. From the bottom of both our hearts Eddie and I thank you all out there for the support of the last seven weeks during our illnesses - especially our very own family."
Lorraine said both were looking forward to celebrating some time together.
"Live-Love-Share and Care" was the message from Lorraine to everybody.
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