Pete and Lynne McGarry have fostered 68 kids and don’t plan on stopping any time soon
The Gogglebox stars says fostering children is their "way of life"
GOGGLEBOX stars Pete and Lynne McGarry have fostered 68 children so far and don't plan on stopping any time soon.
The reality TV stars, who are both 66, have opened their home to children in need for the past 16 years and Lynne says fostering has "enhanced our lives so much".
The couple, who have starred on the popular Channel 4 show with their son George Gilbey since 2013, started fostering children when he was 15.
Speaking to the , Lynne said: "We’ve now fostered 68 children and it’s enhanced our lives so much.
"It’s very rewarding. I’ve just loved doing it.
“I always say all you need to be a foster parent is a spare room, a sense of humour and a good heart.
“I’ve just brought them up as my own. On Mother’s Day I get so many phone calls. They don’t forget you. A lot still regard me and Pete as their parents.”
Lynne also opened up about how George always saw their foster children as his brothers and sisters.
She said: “He’s always classed the other boys as his brothers. He was 15 when we started fostering and he never moaned. He always shared everything.
“He’s got a good heart. He does drive me mad, but he’s a good boy.”
The family live in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex and Lynne said lots of the children they fostered came from difficult backgrounds.
She said: “When they’ve been taken away from their parents and siblings it can be dreadful for them.
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“It’s like a bereavement. It ain’t their fault, it’s just the situation they’re in.
“They’re often petrified when they first come to us. But I make them feel welcome and tell them to help themselves if they’re hungry and tell them it’s their home.
“We’ve had some of them get into trouble. We look after teenagers now, which can be difficult.
"There have been some dreadful situations but we stick with them. We’ve gone with them to court.
“You have to let your kids make mistakes and still be there to pick them up. Not all parents can do that.
“A lot of kids are bitter about the time they have with social services but ours aren’t.
"They say coming to us was the best thing that could have happened to them.”
The couple went on to adopt a boy named Chris who was the first child they fostered back in 2000.
She said: “He’s 26 now and we’ve still got him. I went through hell with him, but he’s just opened his own car site and we’re so proud of him. We’re all one big family.
“Anyone thinking of becoming a foster carer should start with a bit of respite and see how they get on.
“That’s better than going straight into adoption because some kids won’t fit in with your family.
“A lot of people find it scary – we were terrified. But I’ve learned how to deal with them. You could punch a wall next to me and I wouldn’t flinch.
“We won’t stop. While we’re in our house it would be a waste not to because we’ve got room. It’s not a hard job, it’s our way of life. We’ll do it for as long as we can.”
Meanwhile, there was happy news for George and his girlfriend Gemma welcomed a baby girl named Amelie last week.
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