Meet the real-life Mrs Santa Claus making magical Christmas memories for foster children

In fact, he's never dropped off a present since you were born.

That was the harsh reality for a little boy who was then taken into foster care, along with his three-year-old sister, and went to live with Heather and her partner Rob.

They joined the family in Preston just a few weeks before Christmas, and finally got to experience the traditions that many of us take for granted and have enjoyed for years.

Heather had decorated the Christmas tree, made them their own advent calendars and had inflatable decorations outside the house.

But the children didn't seem to understand, as Heather explains: 

"My brother came to drop off some presents and he said to me how strange it was that the children weren't excited, which I had picked up on too. They were both just very quiet.

"On Christmas Eve, I put out sacks for Santa's presents, then I put out some milk, carrot and a mince pie. And they looked at me like I was daft, they were wondering what on earth I was doing.

"But the next morning when they got up, the little boy was absolutely hyper, he just couldn’t believe it that he had presents.

"Later on, he said Santa's never been before.  He was only five, but he had been told Santa hadn't been because he was too naughty.  Then he asked if Santa would come again."

And of course he did.

Heather and Rob are now preparing to spend another Christmas with the siblings, and still keep up their traditions of filling advent calendars with chocolate. 

They also have a number of cheeky elves who visit and they all go to the pantomime together on Christmas Eve.

It's a very big family affair as they'll be joined by another foster child, who has been with them for the past two years, as well as Heather's birth children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Heather added: 

"We're a big family, in fact it's got so big that none of us have a house big enough to fit all of us in.

"When the siblings first came to live with us we used to have tea together on Christmas Day, but now there's too many of us to do that, so we're meeting a few days after Christmas.

"I've had to hire a room above a pub to fit us all in!

"I'm having an extension built next year, so I'm hoping we'll be able to host Christmas at my house again next year."

Heather has around 50 people to buy Christmas presents for, so she buys gifts throughout the year and has most of them wrapped by October.

County Councillor Cosima Towneley, cabinet member for Children and Families said:

"Heather created indelible memories for those young children who came into her care having never celebrated Christmas before. Those moments will remain with them for the rest of their lives and this upcoming Christmas will undoubtedly be as special as the very first one.

"Heather, Rob and all our foster carers across Lancashire play an irreplaceable role in shaping young people's lives, providing opportunities and experiences they may never have had before.

"Fostering is one way of keeping children within Lancashire, and we know that those who live in a family atmosphere tend to thrive and move forward with success in the future.

"Making an enquiry doesn't mean that you have to foster a child, but it's a great way of asking any questions you have and finding out about the support available should you wish to proceed down that route."

You don't need any formal experience or qualifications and you will be making a huge difference to a child's life and your own life by becoming a foster carer.

To be considered as a foster carer you need to be over 21, have a spare room and live in or close to Lancashire.

Applications are welcome from all parts of our diverse Lancashire community. Whatever your age, race, gender, living arrangements or employment status, if you are LGBTQ+ then we want to hear from you.

For more information about becoming a foster carer, the events and the support available, visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk/fostering or call 0300 019 0200.