Dee Wok the bear, Dundee’s good luck mascot, and his Tannadice counterparts, Tiny and Terry the Terrors, put friendly football rivalry to one side to help distribute leaflets in the city centre in a bid to recruit more foster carers.

Side by Side has been offering family-based short break care to children with disabilities in Dundee since 1985, giving children the opportunity to learn, have new experiences and become independent whilst, at the same time, giving their families a break from caring.

Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said the vast majority of children thrived within a secure and loving family but he added, “Such placements are hard to find, particularly for children who have additional needs and we hope foster carers with Side by Side will be able to provide a long-term, stable, loving environment for children and young people.”

Barnardo’s believes there is a clearly identified need for the new service.

Dundee presently has 168 children and young people in foster homes on a full-time basis and around 20% of them have additional support needs such as learning disabilities.

Gail Aboim, a senior adoption and fostering officer at Dundee City Council, said children with additional support needs are amongst the most vulnerable members of society and finding families able to offer them the care and support they needed was not easy.

She added, “We owe it to these children and young people to make every effort to find suitable families for them.

“Barnardo’s Scotland’s Side by Side service has developed particular skills in recruiting and supporting foster carers in this area and Dundee Council is very pleased to work in partnership with them in developing this.”

Anyone willing to become a foster parent will be given full support and a fee and allowance for each child.

Further details are available by phoning Side by Side on Dundee 228834.