Middlesex foster carers Andrea and Peter Court this week won a weekend for six at Alton Towers after they entered the Fostering Network’s Ordinary people – extraordinary stories competition. The prize, generously donated by Alton Towers, includes a two-night stay at the on-site hotel with dinner and breakfast, entrance to the theme park and water park and priority ride passes.
Andrea, 40 and Peter, 43, have three children of their own, aged 10, nine and five, and they are currently fostering a 10-year-old-girl. They were first approved as foster carers while still in their twenties and before having their own children. Since then the Courts have gone on to foster over 90 children, carrying on even when their daughter contracted meningococcal septicaemia, aged nine months, and was in intensive care.
Andrea said: “I can’t believe we have won! The children are going to jump around when they hear the news, they are going to be so excited! They love Alton Towers, but a visit normally means setting off at dawn for a long drive on the motorway. The two nights in the hotel will allow us to really make the most of everything.”
The competition was launched in November 2007 as the Fostering Network was hunting nationwide for ordinary foster carers with extraordinary stories to tell. Those taking part in the competition were entered into a draw to win the Alton Towers prize.
The Fostering Network chief executive Robert Tapsfield said:
"Congratulations to Andrea and Peter! This will give them the chance to have a well-deserved break and a fun-packed few days away for the whole family.
"Foster carers do a really important job and I am very pleased that Alton Towers has recognised this – I would like to express my sincere thanks to them for donating such a great prize. I would also like to thank everyone who entered the competition for taking the time to do so."