Footballers show support for council’s foster carers

Swindon Town Striker Charlie Austin (Left) & defender Frazer Blake-Tracey (Right) promote fostering campaign

Swindon Town Football Club have teamed up with Swindon Borough Council’s fostering team to back their appeal for more foster carers to come forward and provide homes for children who have no-one to care for them.

The club’s players wore special t-shirts during the warm-up before the final match of the season at home to Morecambe to raise awareness of fostering.

More than 300 children, from babies to teenagers, are under the care of the council because they cannot stay in their own home.

Foster carers and their children attended the match, which ended in a 3-3 draw, after the club provided them with free tickets.

The t-shirt promotion was proposed by Hayley, a foster carer with the council, who wanted to encourage others to become carers with the local authority and celebrate those who are already part of the team.

Hayley said: “My husband and I have been fostering with Swindon Borough Council for nearly 14 years and as foster carers we are always looking at ways to help promote fostering and encourage new carers."

Swindon Town Defender Harley Hunt wears a t-shirt to promote foster caring

Hayley added “my friend Rachel works for STFC and we thought what a great opportunity to team up with your friend and our local football team to help us work together as a community in promoting fostering in Swindon.

“Hopefully this will highlight and promote the need for new local carers to come forward and enquire about becoming a foster carer.”

To find out more about fostering in Swindon visit the council website.