Almost 40 staff from Somerset Council plan to lace up their trainers to help raise awareness of fostering and the urgent need for more foster carers in the county.

Most of the council runners entering Bridgwater Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, are from a variety of teams in Children’s Social Care, joined by staff from Libraries, property and surveying.

The event on 1 September will also see Daniel Moncrieff, Head of Service for Fostering, and Jayne Shelbourn-Barrow, Service Director for Children and Families, don their running shoes to take part.

The aim is to make people aware of the need for more foster carers, and to encourage Somerset residents to come forward and learn more about how they can have a  rewarding role as a foster carer – and join all those who change children’s lives.

Cllr Heather Shearer, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Children, Families and Education, said:

“There are currently more than 600 children in care in Somerset – and fewer than 200 in-house foster carers so the need for more is evident.

“Foster carers are really special people who make a difference to the lives and futures of local children in our communities.

“We need more people to come forward and we will offer all the support available to help them make that life-changing decision. Almost anyone can be a foster carer – you just need to be over 21 with a spare room in your home;  full training, support, and weekly payments are provided.

“I will be cheering on our runners and hope their efforts will help raise the profile of Fostering in Somerset.”

For more information on fostering, visit fosteringinsomerset.org.uk or call 0800 587 9900 and speak to our friendly team. You’re not committing to anything by getting in touch to find out more, and you could change a child’s story.