Published Wednesday, 14 March, 2007 at 08:00 AM

Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle

Events to celebrate state’s unsung heroes – the Far North’s foster and kinship carers

Foster and kinship carers in the Far North will enjoy an Appreciation Morning Tea on Friday, March 16, in recognition of their efforts in caring for vulnerable children.

The morning tea is organised by Families Plus and is being held at 10am at the Hilton, which is also sponsoring the event.

Carers will also receive three-minute massages from the Three Minute Angels.

Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle said the morning tea was just one of the many events being held throughout the state during Foster and Kinship Care Week from March 11-18.

“Foster and kinship carers are our unsung heroes. They give their time, love and energy to care for children who have been abused or neglected,” Ms Boyle said.

“Foster and Kinship Care Week is an opportunity to recognise their contribution and to celebrate the difference they are making to so many children’s lives.”

Foster and Kinship Care Week aims to acknowledge the enormous contribution the state’s approximately 2900 foster and kinship carers make to the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

The week also aims to promote the benefits of foster care to the broader community, and in doing so encourage more people to become carers.

Foster and Kinship Care Week is being jointly coordinated by PeakCare Queensland and Foster Care Queensland, and is funded by the Department of Child Safety.
People interested in becoming a foster carer can call the Department of Child Safety’s Foster Carer Recruitment Hotline on 1300 550 877 or visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au
Ends

Media contact: 3224 7477
14 March 2007