Breakfast raises more than $61k for foster care

MELI’S Foster a Future Breakfast raised more than $61,000 last week to kick start the Foster a Future Appeal.

The second annual breakfast, held on September 5, highlighted the vital work of Meli’s foster carers and the urgent need for more in the region.

Media personality Kate Langbroek was the guest speaker at the sold-out event, sharing her message about the importance of daring to do, not just dream.

She spoke about her son Lewis’s leukemia diagnosis when he was six years old and its impact.

“We all have a cloud over us, most of us just don’t know what that cloud is,” she said.

“With Lewis, we know what the cloud is.”

Langbroek moved the audience members to tears then quickly had them laughing again, detailing how they moved on from the diagnosis and moving her family of six to Italy, right before COVID.

As the MC for the event, Myf Warhurst shared her experience as a foster carer and urged those thinking about it to take the next step in becoming a carer.

Funds raised from the event will support Meli’s Foster Care Program in recruiting, training and retaining carers and extra activities for children in care.

Meli chief executive officer Grant Boyd said the breakfast was a celebration of Meli’s wonderful foster carers.

“Thank you for being here and for all that you do to make such a big difference in the lives of children and young people,” he said.

The Foster a Future Appeal will continue throughout September.

To donate and for more information on becoming a foster carer, head to meli.org.au