Foster care award-winner Donna Illingworth says keeping a cool head and being well organised is key to looking after her young charges. The 54-year-old Dunedin Hospital part-time registered nurse was recently given a prestigious Excellence in Foster Care Award, for her caregiving of more than 40 vulnerable children from Oranga Tamariki over the past 25 years. She has six children in her care — all under 10. "These kids need something positive in their life, they need that support and that help and they need good role models." "Some of them can’t talk or won’t talk and others, they don’t know how to eat or use a toilet.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 17, 2026 19:35 UTC