Santa Claus and Tranmere Rovers goalkeeper spread festive joy at Prenton Park fostering Christmas party

Father Christmas and his special helper Luke McGee, goalkeeper at Tranmere Rovers Football Club, joined local fostering families for this year’s fostering Christmas party.

The annual event, hosted by Wirral Council’s fostering team, is a celebration and treat for children in care. Taking place at the Tranmere Rovers stadium, Prenton Park, the event welcomed families from across Wirral to get into the Christmas spirit.

Cllr Stephen Bennett, Chair of Wirral’s Children, Families and Education committee, said:

“Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones and thanks to Wirral foster carers, many young people in care will get to enjoy the festive period in a family home.

“It’s great to celebrate that, and to see so many smiling faces enjoying a well-deserved Christmas party, for both the foster carers and the young people they care for.”

At the event, party-goers also enjoyed special visits from Spiderman and Frozen’s Elsa, along with children’s entertainer Silly Lily. Children could get their faces painted and had the opportunity to decorate their own Christmas tree decorations with local wellbeing group OOMOO.

Handing out gifts to local children, Luke McGee, goalkeeper at Tranmere Rovers Football Club said:

“It’s been an amazing night tonight […] thank you to everyone who came down and I hope you have an amazing Christmas.”

Wirral Council is part of Foster4, a collaborative fostering recruitment hub in the Northwest.

As part of the drive to recruit more fantastic foster carers, the friendly Foster4 team have been popping up in several locations across Wirral this month, with a few dates still to come before Christmas.

Cllr Bennett said: “If you think you have the room in your heart and home to foster, please get in touch with Foster4.”

You can find the Foster4 team and have an informal chat at the following pop-up events this month:

• Wed 18 Dec 3:15pm – 4:15pm | Gautby Road Youth and Community Centre
• Thu 18 Dec 10:00am – 11:00am | Leasowe Leisure Centre
• Fri 19 Dec 2:30pm – 3:30pm | West Kirby Leisure Centre

If you can’t make it to an event, but you want to find out more, visit the Foster4 website here. Find out more about Tranmere Rovers here.

Find out what else is happening across the Wirral here.