Santa brings festive fun to Portsmouth with a fostering decathlon

This December, Foster Portsmouth is launching a unique festive campaign to celebrate the energy, resilience and commitment their foster carers show every day in supporting children and young people from Portsmouth.
The fostering decathlon will see Santa take on ten fun and active challenges at some of our most loved community venues across Portsmouth, from ice-skating and skateboarding to sea swimming and cycling.
The feat will also support Portsmouth City Council's fostering service in raising vital awareness about the need for more foster carers in the city and the surrounding areas.
Councillor Nick Dorrington, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council, said:
"We urgently need more foster carers to care for children and young people from Portsmouth. If you are over 21, have a spare bedroom and are interested in fostering, you could foster with Foster Portsmouth."
"Our carers come from all walks of life. They simply share the same commitment and motivation to make a positive difference to a child’s life."
The venues taking part in the decathlon are:
• Southsea Skate Park, Southsea
• Pitt Street Skate Park, Commercial Road
• Portsmouth Ice Rink, Guildhall Square
• Spark Community Space, Fratton
• BH Live Mountbatten, North End
• Casemates Studio, Hilsea Lines
• Pure Ground Community Café at Milton Village Hall
• Portsmouth Museum, Museum Road
• The John Pounds Centre, Portsea
• The Canteen, Southsea
Other activities Santa - or experienced social worker John Hillage from the Foster Portsmouth recruitment team - will complete will be roller skating, running, walking, and climbing.
John said: “I’m excited to spread festive cheer while celebrating our incredible carers. If I can also inspire more people to join our close-knit fostering community, it will help ensure more of our young people will find the loving home they deserve."
As part of the campaign, Santa will leave one festive goodie bag at each venue. These bags will include small treats and information about fostering with Foster Portsmouth. Members of the public are invited to visit the venues on Friday 5 December to pick up a goodie bag. Bags will be available on a first come, first served at each location.
Fostering is about giving children a safe, loving home when they need it most. Right now, Portsmouth needs additional foster carers to provide stability and care for local children. This campaign is designed to spark conversations, share information, and encourage people to consider whether they could make a difference.
People can watch Santa's challenges and follow his progress at www.foster.portsmouth.gov.uk/news or on Facebook @FosterPortsmouth.
If people would like to enquire or arrange a one-to-one with one of Foster Portsmouth's experienced team or foster carers, they can call 023 9283 4071 or email fostering@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.