Strong increase in inquiries to become a foster home in the weeks following the Arctic Race of Norway

October 16 ^th 2018 - 10:36

The foster care service in Finnmark, Norway, experienced a sevenfold increase in the number of from people who wanted to know more about becoming a foster home in the three following weeks after the Arctic Race of Norway .

"The Arctic Race of Norway helps to highlight the need for foster homes, which causes people to actually contact. It is important for the children who are waiting for a new home, that new foster parents are available at any time," says Pål Christian Bergstrøm, Regional Director in Bufetat, The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs.

Bufetats northern region has been a partner for the Arctic Race of Norway since 2015. Through presence in starting and target areas as well as markings along the stages. Bufetat had a lot of different activities during the race, including the region's own Family party, in order to highlight the need for foster homes in Northern Norway. 

“We have collaborated with The Arctic Race of Norway for several years and have colored the event with our purple t-shirts and hats. When we repeatedly can use this event to get out the message about children who require help, it reminds people of the need that is always there. We are very grateful that The Arctic Race of Norway gives us this opportunity," said the Regional director.

CEO Knut-Eirik Dybdal in The Arctic Race of Norway is pleased that the event contributes to an increasing interest in foster homes.

"From the start we have had the ambition that The Arctic Race of Norway should be more than a bicycle race. Thus, we are pleased that the visibility we are creating can also be used to something as positive as recruiting foster homes for children who need it," Dybdal says.