An absorbent structure (10) comprising a silicone foam (14) having pore walls (18) and a plurality of hydrophilic particles (20) anchored to the pore walls (18) of the foam (14). Some of the hydrophilic particles (20) have an anchored portion (24) firmly anchored to the pore walls (18) and an exposed portion (22) extending outwardly away from the pore walls (18) upon which the anchored portion (24) is secured.
