They enjoyed the work and the sense of community that came with pitching in and working together with other people. They liked it so much they decided to set up their own group, which they called Friends Indeed, which is what they are to dozens of families in their hour of need.
Most Friends Indeed members raise money in their spare time – they give the money to those in need in their local area.
Over the years they have raised £80,000 with all kinds of events, and roughly half of that total has been raised by Susan's daughter Rachel Walker, 35, who runs a dance school in Dewsbury and Mirfield.
Former receptionist and foster mum Susan, 60, said: "We enjoyed the social life and over the last 20 years it has just built itself up. Over the years we have helped a lot of different families with all kinds of things. We are not a charity and so we are not restricted in what we raise our money for.
Family
"It could be that a family needs a washing machine. For one family, where there was a child with leukemia, it was giving them money to decorate a bedroom as a surprise, or paying for taxis for people and so on.
"We've bought computers for children in schools, we've bought hearing aids for kids, there has been a loop system installed in Hanging Heaton Junior School to help two children with hearing problems and a lot of our money has been given to the Leeds General Infirmary.
"It's a lovely feeling when you change someone's life."
The mother-of-two, who also has a son Jonathan, 37, and is grandmother to four, could not have achieved the £80,000 without the help of her daughter, Rachel.
Rachel had been a keen dancer from the age of two and she set up her own dancing school after leaving the London College of Dance 14 years ago.
She teaches over 250 pupils from toddlers to adults and stages a show every 18 months, the last of which raised a staggering £4,500.
The mother-of-two, who is married to Brendon Murray, said: "Our first show raised £1,300 for a friend who had meningitis. I don't take a wage from the show, just expenses, it all goes to Friends Indeed. Our last show raised £4,500. Our next show will be in March 2009. I feel proud. I was brought up in a charitable family."
Susan's sister-in-law Suzanne Farrar, 61, a former headteacher, said: "We have about three functions a year, plus Rachel's show. It's a great social life and at the end of the day you are raising money for a good cause."
Over the years Friends Indeed has made a difference to dozens of families, including that of Carol Maddocks, the campaigning mother of Alice, who suffers from a rare blood condition. Carol famously tackled former PM Tory Blair live on national TV and later met him several times, leading to Government funding for the National Blood Service to invest in its bone marrow register.
Carol was helped by Friends Indeed during the early years of her struggle. She said: "They heard about Alice and they helped us out. It was things like ink for the printer, telephone calls and trips to London, which we were doing a lot. It doesn't have to be millions to make a difference. Their help was crucial and I think this is one group of people who really do deserve to be recognised for what they have done and are continuing to do."
One couple who are receiving their help at the moment are Paul, 34 and Hayley Brown, 28, from Birstall.
Their daughter Laila, four, has cerebral palsy and the couple cannot get specialist treatment for her on the NHS.
Hayley, who recently gave birth to Kyla, three months, explained: "I learned about the group after a chance meeting with Carol in the Children's Ward at Dewsbury Hospital.
Care
She came in and saw Laila and mentioned Friends Indeed in September last year.
"Laila needs 24/7 care but we take her down to London six times a year for specialist treatment, including oxygen therapy, which can cost us £1,000 a time."
The treatment is known as the Scotson Technique and focuses on the micro-circulation of the respiratory system which affects structure, metabolism and motor and cognitive function.
Laila's father Paul, who works for an engineering company, said: "It has a massive beneficial effect on her. Each time we go, they teach us new techniques, which we can then use to help her. Friends Indeed have really helped us out and they have become close friends too."
Friends Indeed can be contacted on 01924 453818.