Last weekend, the Cleethorpes parkrun community embraced a sea of orange as runners, volunteers, and supporters gathered to raise awareness of the need for more foster carers in North East Lincolnshire.
The vibrant display was part of a local campaign to encourage more people to consider fostering, helping ensure that children in care can stay close to their schools, friends, and communities. With the number of children needing safe, loving homes continuing to rise, North East Lincolnshire Council is calling on residents to step forward and make a difference.
Parkrun, a free weekly 5K event held every Saturday morning in parks across the UK, is known for its inclusive and community-driven ethos. Cleethorpes parkrun regularly attracts hundreds of runners of all ages and abilities from across the borough and beyond.
At last week’s event, North East Lincolnshire Council was the headline partner as part of its Corporate and Community Parenting Fortnight, a series of activities designed to highlight the shared responsibility of supporting care-experienced children and young people.
Sean Clark, one of the event co-directors of Cleethorpes parkrun said:
“We were proud to be part of this important initiative. parkrun is more than just a run, jog or walk – it’s a celebration of people from all walks of life coming together in a spirit of inclusion, encouragement, and community. Supporting fostering and corporate parenting aligns perfectly with our values. These young people are the potential parkrunners of tomorrow, and we’re committed to creating a space where every background is welcomed and every future is nurtured”
Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education, said:
“It’s lovely to see our community come together in such a visible and vibrant way. Events like this show that we all have a role to play in supporting care-experienced young people – not just as a council, but as neighbours, colleagues, and even runners! We need more foster carers so all the children in our care can experience living in a caring, loving home”
Ann-Marie Matson, Director of Children’s Services, who took part in the run, added:
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who wore orange and showed their support. Fostering is one of the most impactful ways to change a child’s life, and events like this really help raise awareness of our wonderful carers and I would encourage anyone who might want to find out more about fostering in North East Lincolnshire to get in touch with us.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving home in the community they know and love.”
If you’d like to find out more about fostering with North East Lincolnshire Council, visit our website www.nelincs.gov.uk/fostering
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