CUMBRIA County Council has put out an appeal for people to consider adoption and fostering.

It has been staging a number of events and raising awareness for National Adoption Week, which took place from October 12 to 18, and the Fostering Network's Sons and Daughters Month, a celebration of the contribution that the children of foster carers make.

Last year, the council’s adoption service matched 43 children with adoptive parents, with nearly a third placed with LGBT families.

Anyone can apply to adopt regardless of age, marital status, gender, sexuality, disability or employment status - in most cases the process takes six to eight months.

Currently the council has five sibling groups who need loving families.

One foster carer from Maryport, who herself grew up in a fostering household, is sharing her story in a bid to encourage others.

Leigh-Anna with her partner Matthew, both 27, applied to foster in September last year.

For a number of months they have been caring for two siblings under six.

Growing up as part of a fostering family she said: “I was at Primary School when my own mum started fostering and to be honest I can’t remember a time before we were a fostering family.

"This is the norm to me - it is my life.

"I was settled with my partner Matthew.

"We knew there were children out there who needed a family home.”

“The progress they’ve made since moving in even baffles me."

Andy Bond, a teacher from Kendal, adopted two young brothers with his husband Stephen last year.

He said: “Our journey began about four years ago when we set off with the intention of adopting just one child.

"After long conversations and very careful planning we agreed to look for a sibling group of two.

"The day we brought the boys home was probably one of the happiest of our lives.

“Those early days where it was just the four of us passed really quickly and we gradually began introducing the boys to extended family and it was a big moment for them and for the grandparents who were always desperate to have grandchildren and for the doting aunties and uncles.”

Councillor Anne Burns, county council Cabinet member for Children’s Service said: “Adoption transforms the lives of those it touches.

“Children who come to adoption do so because their birth families are unable to care for them.

"Many of them have experienced neglect and trauma. All of these children need a loving, stable home."

To find out more go to: cumbria.gov.uk/adoption or cumbria.gov.uk/fostering

Alternatively call 0303 333 1216.