THE burly biker image is not often associated with the world of fostering – but a Bolton dad is proving the stereotype wrong.

Mike Twemlow, also known as Mike the Biker, has been a foster carer for 15 years together with his wife Joann.

While he may be recognised in Breightmet for riding his Rewaco trike, at home he has been welcoming children from Manchester, Liverpool and beyond with the hope of helping them achieve a brighter future.

The 54-year-old, who has nerve damage in his leg and is a member of the National Association of Bikers with a Disability, says his only regret is not getting involved in fostering sooner.

Mr Twemlow, who fosters with Child Action North West, said: “We discussed it for years, should we or shouldn’t we.

“I got laid off from work and at the same time saw an advert in the paper for foster carers and thought just go for it! The rest is history.

“I’m definitely passionate about it, it’s the one job I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. My only regret is I didn’t do it earlier.

“It’s all about making a change, giving a child a break, a chance in life.

“The children become part of your family until such time as they move on.”

Mr Twemlow is now sharing his story – during Foster Care Fortnight – in the hope of inspiring others to become foster families.

“It’s a lifestyle, there’s really no way you can call it a job, it just takes over your life,” he explained.

“There are a number of different reasons why kids go into care, it can even just be they are a child of a single parent who has to go into hospital for a while and so they are fostered during the stay.

“To me, it’s not the child’s fault they are in care.

“You see children who had some horrendous starts to life; never having had a hot meal, never had a bath, never slept in a bed.

“You have to be willing to commit from start to finish, but if you can look at your own children and know you’ve done a good job with them then you can do a good job with a foster child.”

The Twemlows have been supported by their son Paul, aged 26, who co-cares for the children 25 hours a month. Over the years they have fostered six children, including two brothers and one foster child who stayed for six and a half years.

Mr Twemlow added: “He was part of our family and part of our lives.

"Not every placement is a success, a child has to take to you and that takes time, and it doesn’t always work out.

“It can be difficult but you can feel proud too.

“You will have failures but if you can succeed just once and help a child move on for the better then it is a success.”