Man fosters 13 children after two transplants

A foster carer who had two kidney transplants said he hopes to show the children in his care that "you can do anything".

Thomas, 31, a former hairdresser from Cleveleys in Lancashire, started fostering with his partner Wayne, 56, just months after his second transplant. The couple have now fostered 13 children.

Thomas, who was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease as a teenager, had his first transplant at 23.

He said becoming a foster parent was the best thing he has ever done and added: "I hope that the children we have helped look after look at us and see that if you try, you can do anything."

The pair are currently looking after Eva*, a 21-month-old girl who has been with them since she was three months old, along with six-year-old Tyler* and seven-year-old Wendy*, who have been with them for three years.

"I like seeing the children making progress," Thomas said. "Tyler was hardly able to speak when he came to us, but he has been making such good progress ever since."

Thomas admitted the role can be emotionally difficult.

"It can be hard when the children tell you about their experiences or the challenges they have faced," he said.

"For example, Tyler has just been diagnosed with a long-term disability and we're planning how we can support him to stay with us."

Thomas added: "My favourite thing is when they refer to us as home and say: 'We are home now'.

"We are a normal family and they feel like our children."

The couple are currently in the process of adopting Eva - and have applied for the guardianship of Tyler and Wendy so they can look after them long-term.

Thomas said he is proud of what he has managed to achieve in spite of his illness.

"Even when I've not been too well, the children have seen me get up and carry on with normal life.

"Fostering is absolutely the best thing I've ever done."

*The names of the children under Thomas and Wayne's care have been changed for safeguarding reasons.

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