News Around
Lancashire
Fancy Supporting the England team from Sunny Egypt?
Well... almost! But we have the next best thing, Pharaohs play centre will be showing all the England games and selected other world cup games on their big screens.
The management team, following on from the success of the hugely popular ‘sellout’ New year and valentine family dine specials are proud to present the Family ‘World cup
Football’ Dine specials. Again Entry will be via ticket only (Ticket per Adult, Children Free), will include limited free beverages and free food at halftime. All within the secure environment of Pharaohs.
The Play Structures and Ice Rink will still be open to the guests during the games. Plus Snappy and Anubi will be taking place in a Charity Penalty Shootout! As always with these events early booking is advised! ...Come on England!
For more details, call us on 01257 483441
Foster carers urgently needed
More people are being urged to become foster carers to look after vulnerable children and young people in Blackburn with Darwen.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council neeeds to to recruit an additional 25 foster carers to meet a desperate shortage of places and has launched a new campaign based on the Happy Families card game to coincide with this year’s national Fostering Fortnight (May 17 – 29).
Karen Barrick, head of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s fostering and adoption service, said: "Foster carers offer a vital service helping children and young people from difficult backgrounds to rebuild their lives for the better.
“People are often surprised to learn that fostering isn’t just for married couples or families or for those with previous experience of working with children. We welcome foster carers of all ages and from all walks of life and personal qualities such as patience and understanding, plus the ability to offer a safe and stable home are what’s important.”
For more information, call 0800 328 6919 or visit
www.blackburn.gov.uk/fostering.
Case 1
A former job in police child protection inspired Martine Blokland to become a foster carer – and she and husband Jason got an instant family after taking on three siblings aged five and under shortly before last Christmas.
Martine said: “The youngest was really quiet and wouldn’t speak when she first came and now she’s a real chatterbox, while the eldest has started playing football and coming home with trophies. They’re so confident now and seeing them blossom has been really rewarding.
The couple are hoping to take the children for their first holiday abroad this summer.
Martine added: “It has been a big challenge taking on three young children at once and of course there are difficult times, but we always know there is someone at the end of the phone if we need help.
“We don’t know how long they’ll be staying with us, but we are determined to be there for them for as long as they need us.”
Case 2
Over the last 16 years, Saeeda and Abbas Mirza have fostered 39 children and are currently caring for four children.
With three children of their own and two grandchildren, they decided to open up their home to other children after seeing a poster in a local shop calling for Muslim foster carers.
Saeeda said: “Until that point we didn’t think there was much of a need for Asian foster carers – but as we have learnt with all the children we have helped over the years, this isn’t true.”
Her husband Abbas added: “As parents with spare bedrooms we felt we had the skills and resources to help vulnerable children who needed somewhere to live.”
Rizwana (not her real name), 14, is living with the Mirzas and said: “I am happier than I have been in a long time. I was shy before, but with this family I am not. Everybody is open for you to talk to them and I am getting a lot of support."
4 17 May - 4 July 2010
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