Ex-RAF pilot encouraging others to begin fostering

A former RAF pilot who became a foster parent in his 80s, is encouraging more people to take up the role.

Nigel has been a foster carer with Somerset Council for four years.

The 88-year-old took up the role after his wife died. He believes he is one of the oldest single foster carers in the country and that it helps keep him young.

“We’d been married for 50 years, and I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life just sitting in front of a television doing nothing," he said.

“I wanted to do something worthwhile, and not only that, I didn’t want to be alone and wanted to stay young."

Born in the 1930s, Nigel experienced a number of momentous historical events, including Winston Churchill’s time in office and World War Two.

He was an air cadet as a boy and after joining the RAF for national service, he went on to enjoy a career with the air force.

Nigel said he had enjoyed many special moments through fostering.

"My foster son and I both like cars and I still like fast things," he said.

"One of my favourite memories with my foster son was standing at the front of the Pyramid Stage watching Coldplay headline Glastonbury Festival this year.

"It was absolutely fantastic... and my foster son loved it too."

Joining a family

Foster carers need to be aged 21 or over with a spare room in their home, but there is no upper age limit.

Nigel said he did consider his age and whether it would work when his foster child first arrived.

"There aren’t many teenagers that would want to live with an 80-something old man," he said.

"I could well understand if he’d said, ‘you’ve got to be joking’. But I’m so glad it worked out because he is a wonderful kid."

He continued: "Fostering is quite a thing. It’s a family here they are joining, not just a house and a home.

"From the day my foster child arrived I said, ‘my family are yours now’."

Councillor Heather Shearer, lead member for children, families and education at Somerset Council said: "We absolutely need more people like Nigel to provide nurturing homes for local children, where they too can be inspired to achieve their dreams."