A foster parent from Brighton, who grew up in care in Whitehawk, has been honoured at Buckingham Palace after being made an MBE.
Rob Goddard was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June for his services to foster care.
With his wife Mandy – who was also made an MBE in the honours list – he has looked after children for Brighton and Hove City Council for 23 years.
The council said: “During this time they have looked after more than 65 children, welcoming them into a warm and nurturing home and providing them with a secure base from which they can develop.
“Mandy has also been honoured. As an Irish citizen, Mandy will receive an honorary MBE at a separate ceremony in the new year.”
Mr Goddard said: “This honour was completely unexpected and going to Buckingham Palace to receive it was the proudest moment of my life.
“I had one set of foster carers for the whole of my childhood in Whitehawk. They have always treated me as part of their family and that’s what we do now.
“I love being a foster carer. You need to listen to the children and give them time and attention. They need to feel a sense of belonging. They need warmth and nurturing but they also need boundaries.
“For children who’ve had a difficult start in life and can’t live with their parents just being able to enjoy a normal Christmas can be a big bonus.
“Fostering means everything to me. I was lucky so for me it’s wonderful to give something back and let other children share the good fortune that I had.
“You can make a huge difference to a child’s life and that’s a great feeling.
“We’d like to thank our own sons Dean and Glen, my foster parents Ada and Fred Goddard and all the foster children we’ve looked after over the years.”
Mrs Goddard said that building trust was the key, adding: “Sometimes they act tough but it’s a defence mechanism.
“When they realise that you’re not going to give up on them you see the change and it’s really exciting. They have so much to give.
“It’s about boosting their confidence and making them feel good about themselves.”
Councillor Tom Bewick, who chairs the council’s Children, Young People and Skills Committee, was also looked after by foster carers as a child.
