The East Renfrewshire-wide foster campaign launched on Friday, and is aimed at encouraging more residents to step forward and transform the lives of young people.

And big-hearted Irene Wright was on hand to launch the campaign.

Cartoon characters have been created especially to front the campaign, named Kyle and Kate.

The big push is appealing to anyone who thinks they could make a difference to ‘help transform the lives of amazing young people’.

Irene, who has fostered 15 children over the years, believes that fostering is one of the most worthwhile things that a person can do.

She said: “It was our way of giving back to those children who haven’t been as fortunate as our own.” She and her husband Peter look after children aged up to three years old.

She said: “It’s given us a bigger insight and awareness of other people’s lives. The council is very supportive to us, we have a link worker and there is always someone there at the end of the phone if we need them.

“If anyone is thinking about fostering I would say give it a go. You won’t know if you can do it until you start. You get a lot of joy along with frustration but you also get a lot of reward. When you get your first smile or cuddle it makes it all worthwhile.” The drive to find more local foster carers follows a lack of placements for children in East Renfrewshire foster homes and means many East Ren youngsters need to be fostered out with the area.

Being placed with the right foster carers locally will give East Renfrewshire teenagers and children the opportunity to continue with their education in the same area, keep the same circle of friends, and give them the stability to thrive with a family that can give them the love and support that they need.

East Ren needs foster carers for children of all ages from birth to 18 years of age. There’s also a need for foster carers who can foster siblings, to keep brothers and sisters together.

The council’s convener for health and social care, Cllr Alan Lafferty told the News: “There is no one type of foster carer, they have different backgrounds and life experiences.

“But they do all have one thing in common – they are committed to providing a loving and secure home, and to help children in their care to grow and develop.

“If you are interested in helping children in need, have time and energy, a sense of humour and an ability to talk to children, the fostering team would like to hear from you.

“Our fostering team will help you to learn about the challenges and rewards of caring for a child who has lived in difficult circumstances. You will receive training, and social workers are available around the clock to offer advice and support.” For more information on becoming a foster carer call 0141 577 3367 or visit www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/foster.