A NEW film has been launched to highlight the importance of fostering.
The film, called ‘The Run’, has been funded by over 90 local councils, including Leicester City Council.
It focuses on Tom, an 11-year-old boy, contrasting his need to run - away from danger, from a chaotic home life, and to the school breakfast club because he’s hungry - with running as a sport.
Despite the challenges Tom faces before being fostered – such as not even having a PE kit for school – he’s a great runner, and the film climaxes with Tom taking part in an athletics tournament, running in a stadium, with the support of his new foster family.
In Leicester, there are over 600 children looked after by Leicester City Council, which means the need for new fostering households has never been higher.
Deputy city mayor for children and young people, Cllr Elaine Pantling, said: “There are children like Tom all over the country. The message of this film is very simple, but so important – foster carers are vital to our children and young people, and we need people to foster for Leicester City Council.
“‘The Run’ is a brilliant, emotional film with a loud and clear message – that there’s an urgent need for more foster carers to step forward across the country. Here in Leicester, we need good people to join us and make a real difference.”
That message is at the core of the film. What started as a small local project in the Midlands is now a major nationwide campaign, project-managed by CAN Digital. It is the seventh fostering awareness film produced by award-winning producers ReelTwentyFive, and ‘The Run’ is set to be the most ambitious jointly-funded fostering film project yet.
The film’s project director, Rachel Brown, said: “This grew out of the constant struggle to recruit foster carers nationally, when you have limited resources. By working as a group – which has grown from 12 to over 90 councils across the country – we’ve found a way to raise our voice and shout.
“I say shout quite deliberately - because this is a national emergency. Make no mistake, children’s futures depend on having homes to give them a supportive, nurturing upbringing.
“‘The Run’ won’t change things on its own, but we hope that everyone who sees it will at least pause for thought, hopefully stepping forward to help our most vulnerable children and young people.”
You can watch ‘The Run’ on our website, at leicester.gov.uk/fostering.
Could you make a difference to the life of a child or young person here in Leicester?
To find out more about fostering for Leicester City Council, please visit our Fostering website pages, come along to one of our informal information events, or contact our fostering enquiry team on 0116 454 4500 or at fostering.information@leicester.gov.uk.
ENDS