THANK YOU for helping to promote Foster Care Fortnight (May 14-27) - it plays an invaluable role in bringing the importance of foster care to the attention of your readers.

Whilst we cannot tell you the names or show you pictures of the many children in care in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, we can confirm that their numbers are increasing and that the number of foster carers is not keeping pace.

We would therefore appeal to anyone who has ever considered fostering to come forward. Almost anyone can apply to foster, provided they are aged between 25 and 70 and in good health.

At Community Foster Care, a charity and not-for-profit agency, we provide free training and 24-hour support every step of the way.

There are currently more than 400 children in foster care in Wiltshire and another 400 in Gloucestershire – children who, through no fault of their own, need support, understanding and a safe place to be at a difficult time in their young lives.

Foster carers make a huge difference to their life chances, offering them the kind of stability they may have never known, and enabling them to develop and grow.

It can be a hugely rewarding role and a life-changing experience – and hopefully one which many of your readers might wish to try.

Mark Kingston

Chief executive

Community Foster Care

Gloucestershire