WHEN Lin Coldicott was told her days were numbered, a wave of panic came over her. What on earth would happen to her four children, who were all under five years old at the time? Who would look after them and help them grow up?

The questions came thick and fast. And despite having a loving husband at the time, she knew in her heart he would find it almost impossible to cope with the daily and long-term demands of their young son and daughters alone.

Thankfully, she survived the brain condition that almost claimed her life 25 years ago, but Lin continued to reflect on the future of other children left stranded by similarly cruel twists of fate.

It was the beginning of what the 50-year-old calls "her destiny", which has seen her take in around 80 youngsters whose parents had fallen ill, died or needed some time to get their life sorted.

Many children, on the other hand, were victims of physical or sexual abuse or had watched their parents spiral downhill due to depression, drugs or alcohol.

Some stayed with the family for days, others a year or more, until they could go home or settle with a new permanent family.

As I talk to Lin, it becomes apparent that fostering is a rollercoaster of soaring highs and desperate lows, of pleasure and pain, of comfort and confusion.

But there is no hint of regret in her words.

Remembering "her first child" back in 1980, the warm, motherly smile that becomes her trademark during our interview begins to work its way across her face.

"Eight weeks after my husband and I were first approved, the phone rang and a social worker gave us some brief details about a young girl who needed placing," she said.

"I took a deep breath and thought "God, it's really happening" before saying, "yes, we'd like to take her in.

"It was nerve-racking but exciting."

After months of training, interviews and assessments, the Coldicotts finally became a foster family and with the help of a social worker and support from outside agencies, grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

"My son and daughters used to put the other children at ease by saying things like 'do you want me to show you your bedroom?' knowing it was scary coming into someone else's home, having to worry about making a mistake and being shouted at," she said.

"Trust has to be earned, but as the days go by, they start to relax and blossom. These children have been through a very traumatic time and need a lot of reassurance, a lot of input and their confidence building up.

"I try to get them feeling good about themselves, making sure everything's nice, their washing's done and so on, and let them know it's OK to talk about their home and their family. After all, I'm not trying to be their mum."

The smile is there again as she speaks of the two boys currently in her care, 10-year-old cheeky "ray of sunshine" Adam and 12-year-old Anthony.

Fostering is obviously Lin's calling in life, alongside her job as a live-in warden for pensioners at Lowesmoor House sheltered accommodation in Lowesmoor Terrace, Worcester.

This is despite finding herself a single carer after the break-up of her marriage and losing her son in a car crash 10 years ago.

She is supported by Social Services and has an income to bring up each child but she also shares deep friendships with other foster carers, who bounce ideas off each other regularly.

There is also respite care available for holidays or time with your own family.

But prospective carers should be prepared for the fact there isn't always light at the end of the tunnel. Lin confesses that with some children, she was forced to throw in the towel.

"There were times when I've had to say I've done my best but I can't do this," said the grandmother-of-seven, who tries to communicate with a foster child's family wherever possible.

Then there are the children who might expect a foster carer to physically or sexually abuse them or the ones who expect dinner to come out of the bin.

There is emotional attachment to deal with, when you have seen a child take their first steps and then they leave, or the heartbreaking sight of a child sobbing in their bed because they miss their family.

"Sometimes it's very difficult and challenging. But I wouldn't want to do anything else," said Lin, who went on to adopt one of her foster sons.

"I fostered one boy years ago who went back to his family in Liverpool and he still rings me now. I spoke to him at Christmas to give him some advice about a girl he liked and I've heard they are engaged.

"Ideally, every child would live with their own mum and dad. But unfortunately, this is not always possible.

"To foster a child, you don't need to be rich, have a big house or be in a couple - you just need to care."

For more information about fostering call free phone 0800 0282158.