IT WASN’T the average Saturday night for one Leamington foster carer.
Andrea Hunt, who was Warwickshire County Council’s foster carer of the year 2022, received a heartwarming surprise when she was sat in the audience of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV.
Little did she know, she was part of a special group of foster families being recognised for their incredible contributions.
Andrea has shown unwavering support to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Warwickshire, particularly those from Afghanistan – many of whom come to the UK after experiencing terror and abuse.
Andrea gives them the positive start they need, supporting them to adjust to a new language and culture, she is described as their ‘safe place’.
Andrea said: “I had absolutely no idea that we were there because of fostering or that I was going to win anything, we thought that we’d just been picked for the audience at random, the team at Saturday Night Takeaway planned it to perfection, we were so shocked.”
Ant had a surprise in store for Andrea and dozens of other foster carers on the night. Standing in the audience he told viewers, ‘Everyone in this section has one thing in common. They’re all foster families and they’ve fostered over 5,500 children. We think you’re incredible, thank you very much’.
But the duo had an even bigger surprise for the audience later in the show when all 411 audience members were given the Takeaway Getaway in recognition of their commitment and dedication to helping others.
Andrea added: “We were delighted to have been shown appreciation for our commitment to foster caring and were excited for the show. We had no idea that soon we’d all be presented with a holiday.”
Andrea became a foster carer 25 years ago and has now fostered over 100 children. She exemplifies the dedication and compassion of countless foster carers who provide a safe haven and support to children in need.
