Peter through to Grandparent of the Year final

A south Norfolk grandfather is through to the national final of Age Concern's Grandparent of the Year competition.

A south Norfolk grandfather is through to the national final of Age Concern's Grandparent of the Year competition.

Peter Schaay from Burston, near Diss, was recently voted Anglia's favourite grandparent following his nomination by his daughter-in-law Kelly Rush, 29.

Since they got married Peter, 70, and his wife Rosie have fostered 135 children, have raised six children of their own, adopted another son and also welcome children from Belarus for summer holidays.

Known for his wacky dress sense and his unquenchable optimism, Peter not only looks after foster children but with his wife runs a monthly farmers' market, makes wooden rocking horses, and teaches woodwork to local children as a volunteer. He also helps take care of a menagerie of animals including chickens, a Vietnamese pig and a cow called Aardvark.

Kelly says: 'I admire him - the fact that he gets so much pleasure from giving so much to so many people without expecting anything back. He has such ongoing optimism with life and although Peter and his wife do so much for others and don't get anything back they keep doing it.'

Peter and Kelly will join four other national finalists at the prestigious awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, March 25, hosted by former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips.

The winner of the Grandparent of the Year 2009 title will be awarded a cash prize of �3,000, plus �750 worth of eyecare and �2,000 worth of hearing care, courtesy of Specsavers.