OSWESTRY ‘Mum in a Million’ Mavis Humby – who’s fostered around 180 children – has spelt out her experiences in a book just out, detailing her incredible life.
With husband Patrick, at their Middleton Road home, for 40 years they acted as mum and dad to dozens of children and even new borns, who had suddenly found themselves homeless. For a decade she even cared for seven foster children at a time.
Most still keep in touch with ‘Mum’ and have gone on to be married happily with families of their own. Her book ‘Other People’s Children can be bought in electronic or softback version by typing its title into Amazon.
Mavis was tagged ‘Mum in a Million’ by the Hospital Saving Association private health fund, where 34,000 mums were nominated nationwide. It resulted in her, plus husband and her foster children at the time Tanzy and John, winning a week’s family holiday in Tunisia.
Foster child Emma Peace, one of three daughters who were fostered and is now a Shropshire health specialist with a son Richard, nominated her. Emma’s nomination letter appears in the book.
Mavis’ prizes included a mini cruise to Spain, where the shortlisted mums heard she was overall winner – on Mother’s Day, 1996. It also included a week in Tunisia, a weekend in a Jarvis hotel of her choice, a meal for four at The Sweeney Hotel plus a week in a log cabin in Sillitoe. On the Spanish cruise prize they were invited up to the bridge to meet the Captain.
