A campaign has been launched to boost the number of foster carers in Accrington.

The Foster Care Associates, which is one of the leading independent fostering agencies, has launched the ‘Finding Room to Foster’ campaign with the help of Accrington couple Dan and Christina Duxbury.

The pair have fostered 19 children in Accrington since 2006 and have encouraged more people to take up the role.

Dan, 45, a former army medic, said that his harrowing experiences serving abroad led him to realise the importance of helping those less fortunate.

He said: “During my time in the army I was taken to some harrowing places and an operational tour to Rwanda in 1994 was particularly challenging.

“That experience made me promise myself that I would try to help anyone who couldn’t help themselves.

"That was the starting point I suppose and from then fostering was always something Christina and I were going to do.”

He added: “We’ve been fostering with FCA since 2006 and have fostered 19 children, ranging from a day-old baby to older teenagers and very quickly they become part of our family unit.

"The training from FCA has been really helpful and because of my background as a trainer in the army I’ve even had the opportunity to deliver training to other carers.

“I’m now training to be a social worker thanks to the invaluable experience I’ve gained through being a foster carer.”

Debbie Smith, operations manager for FCA North West, said: “We’ve been working with children and young people for 21 years and our experience shows that one-to-one support in a family setting is the best way to help these children achieve stability and positive outcomes.

"Our team of social care professionals work closely with our foster carers to deliver intensive, holistic support tailored to individual needs.”

“We hope our ‘Finding Room to Foster’ campaign will encourage more people in the region to make room in their life and seriously consider becoming a foster carer.”

FCA provides ongoing comprehensive support to all foster carers including training, a financial allowance, access to carer support groups and organised family activities.

For more information call 0800 022 4012 or visit thefca.co.uk