PEOPLE across York and North Yorkshire are being asked to help make a lasting difference to the life of a child by becoming foster carers.

The rewards of fostering are being highlighted as part of National Foster Care Fortnight to encourage more people to consider becoming carers.

The campaign, which started this week, is backed by North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council.

Foster care can range from respite or short-break care, where a child may stay a few hours a week or one weekend a month, to short-term fostering, which can be anything from an overnight stay to several months.

Long-term care provides for children who are unable to live with their own families, although they still have contact with them. Some carers choose to foster teenagers or children with disabilities.

Carers come from a range of different circumstances and need to have patience, tolerance and energy. They receive training, support and financial help.

There are 250 children in foster care across the county and more children are looking for homes.

John Heron, child placement manager with the county council's social services, said: "We need local people to look after local children so they can stay close to their family, friends and school."

In York, foster carers able to look after teenagers are in demand.

Mary McKelvey, the council's foster care co-ordinator, said: "York has an excellent group of foster carers. We are always eager to hear from people interested in fostering children of all ages, but at the moment we particularly have a shortage of foster carers able to look after teenagers.

"Fostering teenagers is not for everyone, but those who do it can find it very rewarding."

The council also needs permanent foster carers for a small group of children who are unable to return home to their families, but for whom adoption is not a suitable alternative.

An open and informal public information meeting on fostering in York will be held on Wednesday, June 20, at 7pm at Hollycroft, Wenlock Terrace, Fulford Road.

To find out more about fostering in York phone 01904 555333.

For information on fostering in other areas telephone 01423 568099 (for Harrogate); 01609 779999 (Northallerton); 01765 608636 (Ripon); 0845 9501555 (Scarborough/Ryedale); 01757 213651 (Selby).

Updated: 12:24 Friday, June 08, 2001