Members and fans at the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys home game against the Broncos tonight will have a special opportunity to learn more about the work of foster carers in the region.
With the support of Steggles Charity Nest, the Cowboys Community Corner at 1300SMILES Stadium will host the child safety and foster care sections of the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.
“We wanted to give fans the chance to learn more about the work of foster carers and kinship carers in North Queensland and consider whether fostering a child is a contribution they might like to make to help our vulnerable children,” Cowboys community relations manager Fiona Pelling explained.
A foster carer herself, Ms Pelling explained that there are over 8,000 children and young people in Queensland who are unable to live with their families due to abuse or neglect.
“Like myself, foster and kinship carers are everyday people from all walks of life who want to make a difference for children who cannot stay at home because they have been harmed, or are at risk of harm."
Carers provide care for one or two nights, a few months or even years depending on the situation.
As a lead-up to Child Protection Week, which will be held from 7-13 September 2014, visitors to Community Corner will also have to opportunity to talk with skilled staff if they know of children whose safety they have concerns about.
“There is a growing need for more foster carers throughout Queensland and we hope that through visiting Community Corner we can help the number of carers to grow,” Ms Pelling said.
The Community Corner space at North Queensland’s home games reflects the Cowboys’ and Steggles commitment to assist volunteer-run charities and not for profit organisations to build awareness and support from the local community.
Twelve charities working in and benefiting the North Queensland community are offered this opportunity throughout the 2014 season.
For more information on foster and kinship carers and their work, visit communities.qld.gov.au.
