Two Hounslow parents who have devoted their lives to fostering troubled children are calling for more people to step up to the challenge.

Marianne and Paul Davies fostered 50 children for more than 12 years alongside their own children and are calling on more parents to look into fostering as part of an appeal for more homes for children in care during May.

Mrs Davies, 43, whose own children are 23 and 19, said: “I was a childminder and someone suggested I foster. My kids were getting bigger and I love children and looking after them, so Paul and I contacted the council.

“The first children we had, I was so nervous but it has all worked out really well. We are in contact with all our children and I make a point of never changing my mobile number so they can contact me at any time.

"Half the time children just need someone to speak to or know someone will be there for them.

“We have a foster grandchild, now as well as our own grandson, and one of our foster children even introduces me as her mum. It is hard work, it’s not easy. People who think you just get a cheque once a fortnight are in for a shock.”

The couple, who create memory books for all their children, said they were shocked at the poor living conditions some children have.

In Hounslow, 294 children are in the care system, with 189 living in foster families and the remainder placed in one of four care homes.

Mrs Davies said: “When we first started this we had no idea how privileged our children were, with nice holidays once a year and hom-cooked food. When some children come they haven’t eaten for days or just had a McDonald’s.

“Our children only benefited from having foster children around.

“They not only had to share their toys with each other but they had to share their mum and dad as well.

“It has helped them so much, they know not all children live in a house, but there are families crammed into small flats.”

Mr Davies, a warehouse manager, said: “It has completely changed our lives and there are some days when you put your feet up at 10pm and wonder where the day went, but we definitely recommend it.”

Foster Carer Fortnight runs from May 11 to 24, with information sessions at the Treaty Centre on May 16, between 9am and 5pm, and an evening session at the Civic Centre, committee room one, on May 19 from 7pm to 9pm.