For 15 years she has devoted her life to caring for babies while they withdraw from parental substance abuse.”

After training first as a nursery nurse prior to starting a degree in social work Julie Coghill became involved with respite care.

Her life changed after she cared for two girls and helped them to recover from being physically and emotionally neglected.

Julie decided not to pursue a career in social work and became a full time foster carer.

She said: “They are not like normal babies who like to be picked up and cuddled, they go against all mothering instincts. You want to pick them up when they are crying but they don’t like that so when they let you cuddle them that’s what I like.”

Most of the children that Julie cares for go up for adoption and a small percentage return to their parents. She explained that she finds it difficult to say goodbye, she said: “It is sad.

"You can’t bring a baby in to your home and not care for it as though it was your own.

“The day that it is not sad is the day that you do not do that job anymore.”

In October Julie was praised for her work at a national ceremony in London, The Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards 2011.

She explained that its been “surreal” when people have recognised her as “that lady on the telly”.

Julie has also said that the experience of winning the award has encouraged her to continue to do the best job possible.

She said: “It has made me a wee bit more keen to keep up to date with key practices and made me determined to always be at the forefront and push for their needs a wee bit more and speak up on behalf of the child.”

When asked if she views herself as a hero she replied: “No.

“I felt that it was more the job that was getting the award rather than myself. There are so many others who do the same job.

“For me I accepted the award on behalf of everybody who fosters I feel that I didn’t deserve it on a personal level, that is something I struggle with and feel guilty about.

“Fostering doesn’t get enough recognition but if I could’ve done it anonymously that would have suited me better.”

You can watch Julie receive her award at The Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards 2011on online on the STV Player.

IN DETAIL

• Edinburgh foster mum honoured at Pride of Britain Awards](http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh/news/25349-edinburgh-foster-mum-honoured-at-pride-of-britain-awards/)