Three high flying brothers who grew up in a foster family have added their support to this year’s Sons & Daughters campaign, beginning on 1 October.

Actor Luke Bailey, basketball star Devan and top class graduate Alfie have joined together in supporting The Fostering Network’s annual campaign, which celebrates the phenomenal contribution which the children of foster carers make to foster care.

Luke, star of Waterloo Road and Casualty, said: “One of the many fortunate things in my life was that my parents decided to foster young people. It has only ever been a source of inspiration for me both personally and professionally. I based much of my character Marley Kelly in Waterloo Road on experiences of foster care as well as my play Dissociation. The rewards have been endless not only for myself but those cared for and others inspired by what people like my parents do.”

Devan, who plays for Cheshire Phoenix of the British Basketball League, said: “The hardest thing I found about fostering wasn't the fact that another child was in my home. I liked having another brother/sister, somebody else to look out for and care about. It wasn't the fact that this person took time up from my parents either, having two brothers I became used to it, and anyway parents aren't cool so that wasn't a problem. What I found the hardest was the fact that I couldn't understand how hard this person’s life had been, and that I used to complain about little things from time to time. I wish I could have understood what it was like to have been taken from your home and everything you knew so that I could identify with this person.”

Youngest brother Alfie, who has just graduated with a first class degree from the University of Exeter, wrote: “For me fostering has taught me a lot. It opened my eyes to what some people endure and made me appreciate how lucky I am to have what I have. It has allowed me to realise that someone's upbringing can lead to behavioural issues at no fault of their own. It has therefore installed a greater understanding of people in me and helped me to eliminate judgement from people who may be stigmatised in society.”

The charity’s Sons & Daughters campaign takes place every October, when fostering services across the UK run events and activities in their local area to recognise and reward the children of foster carers who help to make foster care a success for children in care. You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved on our website.