Sarah Taylor and Carl Hall will collect their award at a ceremony in London today!
A Lichfield couple who have spent over a decade fostering children with complex medical needs have been named winners at a national award ceremony.
Sarah Taylor and Carl Hall, who live just around the corner from the Lichfield Radio studio, have won the Inspirational Parent Carer Award at the 2026 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, after being nominated by local nurse Tracy Procter.
Now in their 21st year, the awards celebrate the parents, carers and professionals who go above and beyond for the UK’s seriously ill children and young people. Sarah and Carl were chosen from hundreds of nominations from across the country.
Since becoming foster carers in 2014, the couple have opened their home to five children with complex medical needs and have adopted a child they previously fostered. They currently care for three children with significant health needs, managing everything from tube feeding to specialist medication regimes, alongside the ordinary business of family life – school runs, homework and all.
Matt James, Chief Executive of WellChild, said that “every year we are humbled and inspired by the extraordinary people recognised at the awards”.
Their stories remind us that courage and resilience are found in many different forms, from children facing life with complex medical needs, to parents, siblings and professionals who go the extra mile to care for them every single day.
Sarah and Carl are travelling to London today, 21 September, to collect their award and meet WellChild patron Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, at a special ceremony.
Sarah also joined me (theaardvark) on Friday’s ZOOMY Drivetime Show to talk more about the award and life as a foster family. You can listen back to the show here.
For more information about WellChild, visit www.wellchild.org.uk