AN Abingdon couple have celebrated 25 years of acting as foster parents to dozens of young people.

Doreen and Peter Sillman, who have two sons and a daughter of their own, have taken in more than 70 children in that time — and made them all feel like one of the family.

At a celebration to mark the milestone, Mrs Sillman, who was awarded an MBE in 2007 in recognition of her services, was surrounded by more than 30 of the young people she has helped look after.

At the reunion at Foxcombe Court, Abingdon, the 77-year-old former nursery teacher said: “We’ve always loved children and when our children grew up we thought we still had so much to offer.

“Seeing so many of them at the anniversary was very special. Some of them have had very tough times and we only wanted to make them feel loved, have some stability and feel like one of the family.

“Every child has been different, they all have something to give and we tried to bring that out in them.”

The couple, of Parsons Mead, began fostering in September 1984. During their time as foster parents, the couple have looked after a wide range of people, including a mother of five children. They still care for a teenager and provide relief care for three children on one weekend a month.

Mr Sillman, 80, a retired electrician, said: “We try to point the children in the right direction. I have a workshop at home and they seem to enjoy learning how to use the tools.

“When they leave us it isn’t sad because we feel like we’ve helped them and they will hopefully go on to better things.”

The first child they cared for was Verity Mooney, a disabled two-year-old. Mr and Mrs Sillman provided respite care for her parents for 11 years.

Ms Mooney, now 27, and her mother, Jane, 58, of North Oxford, were at the reunion.

Mrs Mooney said: “I just think it’s an incredible achievement the amount of support they have given people and it’s difficult for me to put into words.

“They gave us so much help with Verity and became extended members of the family.

“They are the kindest, most generous people.”

Sarah Lawrence, 19, of Compton Close, Didcot, lived with the Sillmans for a month when she was 15.

She said: “When I lived with them it was great because they were so patient with me and would sit and let me talk for hours. Now I’m joint chairman of the Children in Care Council and Doreen comes to watch my presentations and is in tears.”

Leann Foster, 20, of Coopers Lane, Abingdon, lived with the couple for three months when she was 15.

She said: “It is a brilliant achievement and they have meant a lot to me. You can talk to them about anything.

“I’m still in touch and they will be at my wedding next year. They made me feel like one of the family.”