A COUPLE yesterday proudly received their MBEs for their services to fostering at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Husband and wife Neil and Janette Dewsbury, from Liverton Mines, east Cleveland, have fostered more than 80 children since 1983, providing a home for young mothers and babies, teenagers, care leavers and children with disabilities and complex behavioural needs.

The pair continued to foster even when their 46-year-old son was involved in a life changing motorbike accident four years ago.

When their MBE was announced in 2019 Mr Dewsbury said at the time: “Fostering gave us a focus through that.

“It helped us through our own crisis. Our son has his family and wife to support him, and he manages very well and we are there for extra support.”

They started fostering when their own children were just nine and ten. Mr Dewsbury said: “Our own children were interviewed at the time to see how they felt about us being involved in fostering – it wouldn’t have gone ahead if they hadn’t been happy about it.”

Before officially receiving the award the couple said they were “over the moon”.