THERE are over 900 fostered children throughout Hertfordshire, and one ex-foster child has given the youngsters someone to aspire to. Lee Burgess grew up in Stevenage and after leaving school his career has really taken off. Mr Burgess, now working at Lut

THERE are over 900 fostered children throughout Hertfordshire, and one ex-foster child has given the youngsters someone to aspire to.

Lee Burgess grew up in Stevenage and after leaving school his career has really taken off.

Mr Burgess, now working at Luton Airport as an aircraft maintenance co-ordinator, is part of a team in charge of 175 engineers and knows more than anyone that he has his foster parents to thank for helping him get his feet off the ground.

Now he holds talks which teenagers in foster care can attend to share his experiences.

During these talks Mr Burgess does his best to encourage them to reach their potential.

He said: "I've always been very interested in planes and my foster parents Caroline and Robert really encouraged me.

"When I was coming up to leaving school Caroline had a friend who worked at the airport and showed me round. I applied to be an apprentice and over the last 18 years I've worked my way up.

"My foster parents were so supportive and made me realise that if I knuckled down at school I could succeed.

"I remember how I felt as a teenager so I tell them that they have a team of people around them who are working to help them and if they stay focused they can achieve their aims in life."

Mr Burgess helped to promote a campaign called Foster Fortnight which finished on Sunday.

It highlighted the urgent need for foster carers in Hertfordshire.

To find out more about fostering, call 0800 917 0925 or log on to www.hertsdirect.org/fostering