Christmas is a magical time for children: the excitement of putting baubles on the tree; searching the night sky for Santa鈥檚 sleigh; the joy of leaving a carrot for Rudolph and a glass of milk for Santa on Christmas Eve鈥 the list in endless.
But, as many people with children will understand, some of this magic begins to fade as they grow older. This was the case for Moyra and Peter Paterson from Campbeltown.
鈥淲e have five grown-up children between us and, although I truly treasure the time we spend together over Christmas, it鈥檚 not the same as when they were little鈥 said Moyra.
This year is different, however, as the couple have become foster parents and have a young child in their care.
Moyra said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 fantastic 鈥 the whole house is filled with an air of excitement. Every morning there鈥檚 a door on the advent calendar to open, our tree has decorations hanging on it that the little one made at nursery and we鈥檝e written a letter to Santa. We鈥檝e also got the nursery Christmas concert to look forward to. These are truly special times and I鈥檓 delighted that we get to make a difference to this little one鈥檚 life.
鈥淲e鈥檙e making special memories 鈥 memories that will last a lifetime, and the joy that we get out of fostering and making a difference to young peoples鈥 lives can鈥檛 be underestimated.
鈥淔ostering is one of the best decisions we鈥檝e ever made. I鈥檇 urge anyone considering applying to get in touch with the council鈥檚 fostering team.鈥
To find out how you can help make a difference to a young person's life, visit: www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/fostering