Sydney City2Surf’s infamous 2-kilometre incline will not keep foster carer Dave from his mission on Sunday, August 11. Source: MacKillop Family Services.
Dave and the MacKillop Family Services team are out to recruit and support more foster carers, at a time when New South Wales is facing a critical shortage. The NSW Carers Register shows that over the 12 months to March 2024, the number of foster carers has dropped 7.4 per cent, while the need for foster homes is increasing.
As someone who knows the impact a carer has on young lives, Dave wants to help draw attention to the urgent need.
“It’s going to be a big day with lots of exercise,” Dave, says, “but I’m excited to help spread the word about kids in need and inspire future carers to get involved. That’s driving me to do this.”
Dave, who is in the education sector, began fostering through MacKillop three years ago, providing respite care to two children. Soon after, that grew into caring for a sibling group, long-term.
MacKillop chief executive Robyn Miller said more than 10,000 children and young people across NSW live away from their families.
“The sector-wide carer shortage means there aren’t enough homes available to help children who are hurting and desperately in need of love and belonging,” Dr Miller said.
“We would like people considering foster care to know about the support available to them and that now is absolutely the time to put their hand up.
“That’s why we are running with this message, which we want everyone at or watching City2Surf to know: Foster carers are urgently needed.”
Details: MacKillop Family Services City2Surf page.
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Up Heartbreak Hill to tackle foster carer shortage in NSW (MacKillop Family Services)
