Foster
carers, their families and friends braved this weekend’s torrential
rain to gather for a fun day and picnic, organised by leading
charity the Fostering Network, in Belfast’s Sir Thomas and Lady
Dickenson Park.
Attendees were treated to a host of entertainment and activities, including stilt walkers, balloon artists, a coconut shy, bouncy castle and a football competition – although these were moved inside owing to the wet weather.
Director of the Fostering Network Northern Ireland, Kate Lewis, said: ”Foster carers are all too used to dealing with the many challenges life throws at them, so they weren’t deterred by a bit of rain! The show went on, including the barbeque, although we did move inside to enjoy most of the activities in the dry.
“Foster carers are right now giving better life opportunities to hundreds of children and young people across the country. The money raised by the day will go straight to helping them foster brighter futures for some of our most vulnerable children.”
There are 2,500 children and young people in the care system on any given day in Northern Ireland, of whom 1,500 are living with foster families. The Fostering Network estimates that 350 more foster families are needed.