AN epic trek has helped raise the profile of foster care across the Tees Valley.
The gruelling Coast to Coast challenge – 192 miles (412,000 steps) from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay – aimed to raise awareness of the need for new foster carers across the five boroughs that make up the Tees Valley.
The joint initiative was led by Brian Foulger of Middlesbrough Council’s Family Placement Team, and saw a core group of four walkers covering some of UK’s most scenic terrain in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.
During their 11-day odyssey, the walkers took part in a sponsored leg from Clay Bank to the Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge, raising around £3,000 for Team Middlesbrough.
Along the way they were joined by foster carers and children, Middlesbrough Council Chief Executive Tony Parkinson, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger and Director of Middlesbrough’s Children’s Services Alison Brown.
Tony Parkinson said: “Our foster carers do an amazing job that makes a huge difference to the lives of countless children.
“It was a pleasure to join to the walkers along part of the route, and I hope it will help to encourage new people to come forward and give their time and dedication to help care for some of our most vulnerable children.”
Brian Foulger said: “In many ways the Coast to Coast Walk symbolised the journey a child takes when they enter foster care.
“There are always challenges and difficulties along the way, but you’re never on your own and there are always people there to offer help and support.
“We wanted to spread the word about the difference fostering can make for all involved, and I we will have encouraged more people to come forward and find out more.
“The walk was a fantastic experience, and I’m grateful to all those who took part, and to everyone who has supported us along the way.”
Throughout the walk the team wore specially made white shirts bearing the logos of their sponsors Everyone Active, Tesco (Coulby Newham) and Askham Bryan College, Persimmon Homes and the GMB.
- For more information on fostering in Middlesbrough visit http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/fostering
AYRESOME WARD BY-ELECTION RESULTS
Results in the Ayresome Ward by-election held on Thursday, July 13, 2017:
| Jill Coleman | Conservative Party | 252 |
| Carl Martinez | Green Party | 13 |
| Rhid Nugent | Liberal Democrats | 15 |
| Vic Walkington | Labour Party | 414 Elected |
Rejected ballot papers: 1
Electorate: 4,170
Turn-out: 16.67%
PARK END & BECKFIELD WARD BY-ELECTION RESULTS
Results in the Ayresome Ward by-election held on Thursday, July 13, 2017:
| Ron Armstrong | Conservative Party | 59 |
| Ian Blades | Labour Party | 302 |
| Wen Cai Bowman | Liberal Democrats | 10 |
| Jan Mohan | Independent | 505 Elected |
| Jamie Rawlings | Green Party | 12 |
Rejected ballot papers: 0
Electorate: 5,901
Turn-out: 15.05%
The polls were called following the deaths of Middlesbrough Councillors Bernie Taylor and Peter Cox who represented Ayresome and Park End & Beckfield wards respectively.
North East Ambulance Service response to NHS England ambulance standards announcement
ByNHS England has today announced a new set of performance targets for the ambulance service.
A NEW free bus service which will provide a much-needed link from Stainton Village and surrounding areas to the Parkway, is to be trialled starting Monday, July 17.