FCA helps heroes at local spring jamboree

FCA, a leading Independent Fostering Agency, held a spring event at its North East regional office in Chester-le-Street at the end of March to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity which was set up in 2007 to assist persons who are currently serving or who have served in the armed forces along with their dependants.

Over 80 people attended the jamboree including FCA staff, foster carers and looked after children. A selection of stalls including traditional cake sales, auctions, a raffle and tombola were available at the event which raised around £600 for the Help for Heroes charity.

Taking the opportunity to thank foster carers for their on-going dedication, FCA proudly presented long service awards to carers who have been with the agency for five and ten years consecutively.

Mick Austin, Area Manager for FCA North East was really pleased with the turnout on the day and said: "There was a real atmosphere at the event and the generosity and enthusiasm of staff and foster carers encapsulates the spirit of the North East team.

"We hold a jamboree twice a year and it's a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the hard work of foster carers and the positive outcomes they achieve with the children and young people they look after."

Events like this one in the North East serve to support awareness of fostering as a potential career for those who can offer their home and a sense of security to a vulnerable child or young person in need. With a current national shortage of foster carers in the UK reaching 10,000, recruitment of foster carers is an important step towards improving the outcomes of looked after children and young people.

FACTFILE:
Foster Care Associates (FCA), part of the Core Assets Group Ltd, is the UK's leading Independent Fostering Agency, with offices operating throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Working in partnership with Local Authorities and Health Trusts throughout the UK, FCA provides 'quality care in a family setting' for over 2900 foster children who are looked after by the agency's 2200 foster families.