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The Liverpool fostering community gathered at Liverpool Town Hall to honor Linda Hurst for her exceptional dedication to fostering, following her recent award of an MBE. During the celebration, Linda joined the Lord Mayor for afternoon tea, where she reminisced about over 45 years of fostering, sharing heartfelt stories about the children and young people who profoundly influenced her life while she made a lasting impact on theirs.
Linda devoted herself to fostering for Liverpool City Council until she was 81 years old. Throughout her extensive career, she provided care for more than 200 children and young people. Her care ranged from brief stays, such as a single night for a baby left at a police station, to long-term placements, with some children living with her from early childhood through to adulthood.
During the event, Linda recounted touching moments from her years of fostering, emphasizing the lifelong bonds she has formed with many of the children she cared for, who continue to seek her advice and support. One young adult recalled being comforted by Linda after bath time at the age of three, and continues to reach out to her for guidance on matters ranging from cooking to managing finances.
Alongside her late husband Ray, Linda dedicated decades to creating safe, nurturing environments for vulnerable children. After Ray’s passing in 2011, Linda carried on fostering, while the Ray Hurst Centre in Kensington stands as a tribute to his memory. Additionally, Linda extended her support to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, assisting them in adjusting to life in the UK by helping them access education, healthcare, and form friendships.
Despite receiving an MBE, Linda remains humble. She expressed that although she appreciates the recognition, the children she cared for contributed just as much to her life as she did to theirs. Linda is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to officially receive her MBE at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle in the coming months.
The celebration at Liverpool Town Hall also served as a platform to acknowledge the incredible impact foster carers have every day in changing the lives of children and young people. Councillor William Shortall, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, commented on Linda’s remarkable journey, saying, “It was a privilege to meet Linda and hear first-hand about her remarkable fostering journey… Linda’s MBE is a fitting recognition of a lifetime dedicated to improving the lives of others and Liverpool is incredibly proud of her achievement.” Similarly, Councillor Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, described her time with Linda as “both moving and inspiring” and affirmed that “this honour is richly deserved and recognises not only the difference she has made to the lives of hundreds of children and young people, but the impact that will continue for generations to come.”
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More
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