'Amazing' foster carer awarded freedom of borough

A foster carer who has looked after at least 250 children over five decades has received the highest civic honour Rotherham Council can grant.

Christine Lunn was made an Honorary Freewoman of the Borough of Rotherham at a meeting of the council's full assembly on 13 March.

Lunn, from North Anston, began fostering with her late husband Peter in 1975, offering homes to some of the borough's most vulnerable young people.

Awarding the honour, Mayor of Rotherham Rukhsana Ismail said Lunn was a "role model for each and every one of us in Rotherham".

"She's absolutely amazing. Her passion, her love for what she does – I've never seen it before. To carry out a service like that is absolutely amazing," she said.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Lunn thanked the council and the mayor for the honour and said she "never imagined anything like this".

"We were privileged to have looked after so many children together, and I feel so lucky I could continue to do this today and be part of their story," she said.

"I simply tried to offer a safe place and plenty of love. Over the years they've given me far more than I could ever give them.

"It has truly been one of the greatest privileges of my life."

Lunn was made an MBE in 2019 for services to fostering and later received the BBC Make a Difference Carers Award.

Councillor Victoria Cusworth put forward the proposal to honour Lunn, which received the support of councillors.

"Impact cannot be measured by numbers alone," Cusworth explained.

"It lives in memories, in milestones and, perhaps most importantly, in the quiet confidence she instilled in so many children who just needed someone to believe in them."

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