Foster Wales’ local authority fostering teams took on an extraordinary challenge to celebrate the difference fostering makes to young people in Wales.
Over the weekend (Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May), an intrepid team from Foster Wales, the national network of local authority fostering services in Wales, climbed the Welsh 15 peaks to raise awareness of the amazing difference foster care makes.
The nine strong team from Foster Wales Anglesey, Gwynedd, and Cwm Taf Morgannwg, undertook the challenge during Foster Care Fortnight™ (13-26 May) – an annual event to celebrate Wales’ incredible fostering community and encourage more people to consider becoming local authority foster carers.
Starting on Yr Wyddfa, the group climbed to the top of all 15 mountains above 3000ft in North Wales. Each member climbed over 24 miles during the two-day hike – with the group collectively covering over 215 miles.
Jo Reeves, Regional Marketing Officer for Foster Wales RCT, who took part in the hike, explained:
“Being part of Foster Wales has opened my eyes to the challenges our children and young people in care go through. Last year during Foster Care Fortnight we took on the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge, but this year we wanted to go bigger and better for our care experienced young people!
"Taking part in the 15 Peaks was one small way of us spreading awareness of fostering and the need for more foster carers. It’s been a celebration to show our appreciation to everyone in the fostering community in Wales. A way to show our support in facing difficult challenges, and to say thank you.
"It was honestly the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my life – both mentally and physically. We hiked up and down mountains for 17 hours on Saturday, and another 10 hours on Sunday in the heat (start peak to end peak was within 24 daylight hours). The support from friends, family, colleagues, and the money raised for VFCC helped spur us to keep us going!”
In addition to raising awareness of the life-changing difference fostering makes, the team are also fundraising for Voices from Care Cymru, a charity supporting care experienced young people in Wales.
Emma Phipps -Magill, Director of Operations at Voices From Care Cymru, added:
“A huge thanks to our friends over at Foster Wales Maethu Cymru for taking on the 15 Peaks Challenge to fundraise for us. What an amazing team to be taking on such an incredible challenge. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
This event is just one of dozens taking place across Wales as part of this year’s celebrations. Others include a cooking workshop for care-experienced young people led by chef Colleen Ramsey and Foster Walk Cardiff which will be led by two Olympic medalists and fostering campaigner Fatima Whitbread, MBE.
Foster Wales is also launching a new celeb-backed cookbook Bring something to the table – which is available to download for free – and shares real-life fostering moments, to help inspire more people to consider becoming local authority foster carers.
In Wales, there are currently over 7,000 young people in care, but only 3,800 foster families. Foster Wales has set out with the bold aim of recruiting over 800 new foster families by 2026, to provide welcoming homes for local children and young people.
To donate to Voices from Care Cymru, visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/fw-15peaks
For more information on becoming a foster carer in Wales visit www.fosterwales.gov.wales
Notes to editor
Interviews are available with representatives from Foster Wales throughout Foster Care Fortnight.
For more information or media requests, please contact: joanna.reeves@rctcbc.gov.uk
Information about the walk
- The group will be climbing to the top of all 15 of the mountains over 3000 ft in Wales within the space of 48 hours.
- The length of the total walk is about 24 miles, but the walks to the start point and down from the finish point can take it to over 30 miles in total.
- Participants in the walk:
- Keith Walters, Rhian Sharpe, Ffion Owen, and Sioned Owen – Foster Wales Anglesey
- Meilyr Wyn and Emma Griffiths – Foster Wales Gwynedd
- Abigail Durrans and Jo Reeves – Foster Wales RCT
About Foster Care Fortnight
- Foster Care Fortnight™ is The Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives.
- Foster Care Fortnight 2024 will take place from 13-26 May.
- The theme is #FosteringMoments.
- Find out more about The Fostering Network: https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/
Posted on 22/05/2024