Incredible foster story leads fundraising event

AN EXTRAORDINARY story of loss and discovery from former foster child Saroo Brierley headlined a successful fundraiser from Geelong family services provider Meli.

Meli hosted its inaugural Foster a Future Breakfast on Thursday last week, which raised more than $50,000 for the service’s foster care programs and celebrated local foster carers.

Mr Brierley, who today is a businessman and author, was keynote speaker for his awe-inspiring story that earned international media coverage and inspired the Oscar-nominated film Lion.

Mr Brierley shared his story of growing up in India and mistakenly boarding a train while looking for his brother as a five-year-old and travelling hundreds of kilometres away from his family.

He was eventually rescued by an Indian child service and sent to Australia to live with a foster family in Tasmania, fearing he would never see his mother or brother again.

Years later as an adult, Mr Brierley spent countless trawling Google Earth to search for his village’s train station, armed with nothing more than his photographic memory of his former home.

Mr Brierley eventually located his hometown to reunite with his mother and have her meet his foster mother in a heart-wrenching embrace.

“Sometimes when you get on the wrong train, you end up at the right station,” he said during his address.

Spicks and Specks personality and foster carer Myf Warhurst hosted the event, who also urged attendees to consider a foster caring role ranging from occasional support to long-term care.

Meli chief executive officer Grant Boyd said the morning was about celebrating and supporting foster carers.

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

Aviso Integral Insurance Services, the Anthony Costa Foundation, APCO Foundation and the Estate of the Late Harold E. Hurst were among the event’s major donors.

The funds raised will help Meli recruit, train and retain foster carers, provide extra support and activities for children and young people in care. This week (September 10-16) is Foster Care Week. To find out more about how you can support, head to meli.org.au/foster-care