Two footy-loving foster carers have teamed up with Bolton Wanderers legend, John McGinlay, with the goal of signing up more carers during the World Cup.
Grassroots coaches Mark Singleton and Paul Armstrong agreed to appear in a video about how football helps them to care for the children they foster.
Twenty-six councils up and down England and Wales joined forces to create Local Councils United and each has made a football-themed video, about the benefits of fostering for their local council.
Bolton Wanderers were eager to assist and offered the use of the stadium to film the video, which has been produced by Bolton Council in partnership with Bolton Wanderers in the Community.
Every day of the World Cup will see the release of a new video about football and fostering created by each of the councils, with Bolton’s set to go viral on Monday, November 28.
Football teams, carers, young people and families will all feature in the campaign, which has the hashtag #FosterWithYourCouncil2022.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Anne Galloway, said:
“We want every child in Bolton to get the best possible start in life, and our foster carers play an essential part in helping us achieve that.
“By fostering with the council, people are supporting local children and by working together we can make a real difference in their lives.”
Foster carer, Mark, said: “I’m really pleased to be part of this campaign to highlight the amazing difference a foster carer can have on a child’s life.
“When I was approached to take part in the film, I had no hesitation in joining in and sharing the message to help recruit more Bolton carers.”
Carer Paul, who also coaches Oxford Grove football team, said: “I didn’t have the best start in life, but it was football which helped me when I was growing up.
“Now I combine the two to help children of today, reach their goals.”
Foster for Bolton’s Facebook page will share a new video every day on @fosterwithbolton.
To find out more about fostering with Bolton Council, bolton.gov.uk/fostering, or email fostering@bolton.gov.uk for an information pack.