Audrey and Fred Wearing with their MBE's, 2012.
Published Thursday 12 January 2023 at 15:39
The passing of Audrey Wearing MBE, 88, has been met with sorrow and widespread tributes within the borough for her long-standing service as a foster carer.
Warmth and love were qualities Audrey had in abundance, traits she shared not only with her own family but also with those who missed it in their own homes. What followed next were 44 years dedicated to fostering children for which she was honoured with an MBE alongside her husband, Fred Wearing MBE, who sadly passed away in 2018.
Victoria Haigh, Supervising Social Worker, said:
Audrey and Fred were an amazing couple who were absolutely devoted to the children they cared for. Their warm and loving home was always busy with children, their door always seemed to be open and it was clear that they were at the centre of their family.
The carers were skilled in caring for babies and very young children and could manage several placements at any one time. Even in their seventies, they were active and enthusiastic about their caring role. Audrey was a genuine and caring person and I will remember her with great respect and fondness.
Audrey had a large family of her own, with seven children; Julie, Graham, Stephanie, Melanie, Juliet, Joanne, and Hayley, 20 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Her children put out the touching statement:
“Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be. This sums up our mother Audrey Wearing.”
The couple fostered over 200 children, and paying tribute, Deborah Benmore, Leaving Care Service Manager, stated:
I was the fostering team manager when Audrey received her MBE. She had always been warm and welcoming and absolutely loved caring for babies, I would say they probably cared for over 100 babies in their fostering career, this was Audrey and Fred’s life.
Audrey always kept herself busy often climbing up ladders to decorate when she was not caring for a baby well into her 70s.
This is a great loss to the community. Audrey will always be remembered by many children, families and adopters as such a caring and loving person.
Julie Gunn, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
“Audrey and Fred showed true kind-heartedness and care throughout the years by providing a home to children from sometimes the most vulnerable of circumstances. They were exemplary examples for others who have considered fostering and my thoughts are with her family and the many people Audrey’s compassion touched during her lifetime. “
If you want to learn more about fostering or are interested in being a foster carer yourself, you can find more information at the links below-
Fostering in Lancashire – Fostering