Foster Care Fortnight in
Northern Ireland kicked off at Stormont's Sports Pavilion attended
by Minister Michael McGimpsey and one hundred guests comprising of
foster families, social workers and representatives from fostering
services.
Kate Lewis, director of the Fostering Network Northern Ireland, opened the event and Foster Carer of the Year Jean Hayley accompanied by her foster child Toni West made speeches thanking the fostering services for their support on a daily basis.
The event focused on the need to recruit more foster carers for teenagers. Young people attending had the opportunity to take part in a football penalty shootout competition, which was won by Pascal Sharkey from Derry.
Kate Lewis described the launch as "thrilling" and acknowledged the great turn out of foster carers who travelled from all over Northern Ireland to attend.