Posted on Monday 31st October 2011
Lynne Hughes, Jane Horner and toddler Dylan
Jane Horner was 10 when she ran away from her Merthyr Tydfil home and travelled on trains all day in order to return to the Valleys-based foster mum she had known for just two weeks.
Eighteen years later and Jane made another long journey to Treherbert, this time bringing her own infant son, to show her “super mum” that she’s a “super daughter” too.
Jane has been honoured for her outstanding bravery when she dragged a man safely from an horrific car accident which saw his vehicle flip onto its roof and become surrounding by petrol and oil which could have caught fire at any moment.
Her award from the Station Commander at RAF Leeming, where Jane has served for almost a decade, was also presented to her in recognition of her outstanding contribution to charity. The military honour recognises the many marathons she has run for various worthy causes over the years.
But it’s all in a day’s work for Jane, who has served as a chef with the RAF since graduating from the University of Wales Institute of Cardiff at the age of 19 and has undertaken manouveres in the Falkland Islands and Greece for several months at a time.
Married to Craig, who also serves at the RAF base in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, the couple are now the proud parents of three-year-old Dylan.
The devoted mum has come a long way since she met Lynne Hughes, the foster carer whom she believes she owes her new life to.
Jane was devastated when, aged just 10, she was collected from her Merthyr school by a social worker, told her mother was unwell and driven to Lynne’s home in Treherbert.
Despite being removed from an unpleasant background that involved drug abuse, Jane admits she hated foster care and was angry and upset during her time with Lynne.
However, less than 24 hours after being returned to her mother in Merthyr, Jane decided who she wanted to be with, and ran away, catching the train back to Treherbert and her new family.
“It was the longest day of my life. I arrived at the main road in Treherbert and phoned Lynne, asking her to come and get me – she thought I was in Merthyr and got a huge shock when I told her where I really was. She collected me straight away and this became my home,” explained 28-year-old Jane.
“Mum was always driving me, keeping me focused. We spoke for years and years about my former life and issues until they were resolved and she was the one who pushed me all the way to where I am now. I don’t know how I would have ended up without her. Mum is the reason I am where I am today and I know she is proud of me.”
Widow Lynne aged 73, who has four children, 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, adores Jane and was moved to tears to hear of her outstanding award from the RAF.
“I had four children when my husband died and I wanted my life to have a purpose. I applied to be a foster carer and was accepted, Jane was my first child she has made a massive, positive impact on my life.
“She had a lot of issues to deal with, but I taught her not to ignore those issues, tackle them head on and don’t let them rule your life in the future. She’s done just that and is an absolute inspiration.
“I am so proud of her. You can have bad days as a foster parent and, when it gets too much, all I have to do is think of Jane and what she has achieved. I helped her to achieve that and it makes me proud. The children you care for give you as much as you can give for them.
“It has made my life meaningful and kept my home full of love.”
Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Annette Davies, said: “To become a foster carer and devote oneself to loving and supporting a child who may have had an incredibly distressing past is truly admirable. The story of Jane and Lynne is incredibly heartwarming and I’m sure there are many similar successful tales to be told.
“We want more people to realise that fostering can change their lives for the better. The rewards speak for themselves.
“It is incredibly important for the Council to recruit more fosterers from the local area as this lessens the risk of children and young people being relocated out of the County and away from family, friends and school, which can be an extremely distressing experience.
“We welcome people from all walks of life who share a dedication to improving the lives of those in their care”
To find out more contact the Council’s Fostering Team on 0800 085 2635.