A CARING Tottington couple who took in youngsters for more than 40 years will receive a medal from the Pope.

John, aged 72, and Elaine Carroll, 73, have looked after more than 25 children over the last four decades, and adopted three of them.

Their kind-heartedness and dedication will be acknowledged when they receive the Benemerenti Medal for services to the Catholic Church.

The couple will be presented with the medal at their church, St Hilda’s in Turton Road, Tottington, by Father Chris McGrane – who alerted the Vatican, via a bishop, to the Carroll’s fostering work.

John said: “It is a special medal, but we don’t feel special, we don’t feel like we deserve it.

“It is very nice to receive, of course, but we have enjoyed fostering and it is very rewarding, so we are being awarded the medal for doing something that we wanted to do.”

The couple decided to foster after learning they were unable to have children of their own.

Their first child was baby Paula, a three-month old girl who became their first adopted daughter.

John and Elaine went on to foster four-year-old Sheena and 18-month-old John-Paul, whom they also adopted.

The pair continued to foster dozens more children and young people, including many who arrived from challenging circumstances.

“Lots of the children we’ve looked after came to us because things didn’t work out with their previous foster families,” said John.

“But we’ve always had a rule that we draw a line under things so anyone who stays with us has fresh start, although we’ve always listened if the children want to talk about their experiences.”.

The couple, of Leigh Close, say teamwork is the key to their success as foster parents, and the support and training given by charity Child Action North West has helped them through some troubled times.

John added: “Fostering is a challenge but the support we’ve had from our social worker and the training we’ve been given really has helped us to cope.”

The couple, who still provide a home for long-term foster daughter Karina when she’s home from university, are retiring due to ill health after Elaine suffered a stroke last year, but they are keen to encourage others to consider fostering.

“The important thing is letting the child know you’re always there for them,” said John.

“Don’t look at the problems, look at the end result. When that child comes to you and give you a hug, that’s the result you’re after.”