Twelve biker enthusiasts will take to the road on May 17, and tour around Northern Ireland championing HSC NI Foster Care.
The tour is aimed at raising awareness about the need for at least 400 more fostering families to come forward and offer safe and nurturing foster homes for children and young people across the province.
The event coincides with Foster Care Fortnight (May 12-25), The Fostering Network’s UK- wide annual campaign that shines a light on fostering and shows how foster care transforms lives.
HSC NI Foster Care are proud to celebrate their foster carers and everything they do to support children and young people, giving them the opportunity to grow and succeed.
The bikers, some of whom are foster carers themselves, will make five whistle stops in each HSC Trust area as part of the tour to meet the public, fostering staff, fellow foster carers and supporters in the community.
The tour starts at Royal’s Avenue’s Cultural Centre in Belfast travelling on to Helen’s Bay, Ballymena, Omagh and finishing up in Armagh.
Gareth Irvine, a HSC NI foster carer, is leading the biker tour. He said: “As a foster carer and keen motorcycle enthusiast, I thought bringing those passions together would make a great event to hopefully raise some awareness around fostering and the urgent need for more foster carers, particularly during Foster Care Fortnight.”
With 3,359 children currently living in foster care in Northern Ireland and with an increasing number coming into care, there is a real need for more foster carers.
HSC NI Foster Care need a wide range of foster carers to reflect the diversity of children and young people who need stable homes.
With a shortage of foster carers children/young people may experience multiple foster homes, have to travel longer distances to school or even move from their local areas; away from their friends, sometimes split from their siblings, and unable to take part in after school activities or their hobbies and interests.
You can foster whether you are single, married or have a partner; have children of your own or not; are employed or claiming benefits or own or rent your home.
There are different ways to get involved depending on your lifestyle and personal circumstances as not all foster care requires a full-time commitment.
HSC NI foster carers receive ongoing support, tailored training and development opportunities, financial allowances and access to family activities and support groups.
To find out more call HSC NI Foster Care on 0800 0720 137 or visit adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net
Biker 400 Tour schedule (Sat 17 May)
Belfast Area
- Start 9am:2 Royal Avenue cultural venue, Belfast, BT1 1DA
- Leave 9.45am
South Eastern Area
- Arrive 10:15am: Crawfordsburn Park, 32 Bridge Rd, Helens Bay, BT19 1JT
- Leave 11am
Northern Area
- Arrive 12.15pm: Harmony Hub, Broadway Ave/Broughshane St, Ballymena, BT43 6DS
- Leave 12.45pm
Western Area
- Arrive 2pm: Station Centre, 17 James St Omagh, BT78 1QX
- Leave 2.30pm
Southern Area
- Arrive 3.45pm: Palace Demense, Armagh, BT60 4EN
- Finish (around 4.30pm)
