TWO successful women dressed up for a formal occasion sit sipping tea in the grand surroundings of the mayor’s parlour. As they chat, they recall the first time they met alone – two virtual strangers nervously peering at each other at an everyday kitchen table, the troubled 12-year-old and the new, part-time foster mum.

“I just remember this beautiful little girl drawing pictures of dresses in her sketch book,” says Karen King. “She was hyper-active but she would sit and draw and draw.”

Kaitlyn Morgan simply remembers being in a kind lady’s house but bursts into life discussing going to see Karen in Marske for respite care weekends in the months that followed. “I looked forward to it so much,” she says.

“I remember the first time we went to Whitby. It was just all for me, just me and Karen for a whole day, I’ll never forget it. It showed me another way life could be.”

The sketching that Kaitlyn, from Eston, near Middlesbrough, did that first night in the kitchen was a sign of a very real talent which has led to serious success.

Kaitlyn, whose mother had needed some respite and support, recently had her men’s fashion designs exhibited in New York, Tokyo and London and she has been chosen from candidates across the world to work with Ralph Lauren in New York on an internship, if she can somehow raise the funds.

She stresses that she was only fostered at weekends for respite reasons but is convinced that time gave her confidence and focus. “I was misbehaving at school before that, acting up, wanting attention,” she says, before explaining she eventually went to live with her dad while still seeing her mum.

As Kaitlyn gained in confidence, so did Karen in her foster care role. Today she urges other people, including single people like herself, to consider fostering.

“I was working in the oil industry and had a good career,” says Karen. “I was enjoying my weekends but the time came when I thought, ‘there must be more to life’. Social workers persuaded me to look after teenagers, sometimes with troubled backgrounds, and I didn’t look back.”

After about a year offering respite care, Karen decided to become a full-time foster mum. It was a rewarding experience – but she doesn’t hide from the more difficult side.

“The first six months you’re in floods of tears, reading about some of these kids’ lives,” she says.

“But you have to have understanding so you know how to give care. It also can be hard if you have a house full and you think ‘if we only we had more foster carers’.”

After some years, Karen began looking after older youngsters for longer periods (one for six years) and she took part in a Staying Put scheme which meant she could offer one young man a home until he was 21.

AS the years passed she stayed in touch with many of the children and youngsters she looked after via Facebook. “You’re not in their pocket, but they like to know you’re there,” she explains.

Kaitlyn was one of those Facebook youngsters and Karen watched with pride as that 12-year-old sketch book scribbler gained confidence, qualifications, went to university, had her exhibitions around the world and, now, has the chance to work with Ralph Lauren.

Still sitting in the mayor’s parlour after the special family event they’ve both attended, Kaitlyn glances over at Karen before making a personal appeal for potential care-givers to come forward.

“With Karen I had a way of dealing with stress. I could just be a kid. That one-on-one time…I can’t describe how it felt, I loved it so much. It helped me become what I am today.

“It’s something every child should have.”

If you think you can make a difference to the life of a young person find out more at a recruitment event in Redcar on April 25 from 5pm to 7pm, at Redcar Heart, TS10 1TD, contact the fostering team on 01642 444087 or visit www.fostering.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk for further details.