Luton Borough Council

10/10/2025 - Tom's race with new foster carers

The release of ‘The Run’, the seventh fostering awareness film produced by award-winning producers ReelTwentyFive, was launched yesterday (9 October) to encourage local people to consider fostering.

The film focuses on Tom, an 11-year-old boy, contrasting his need to run - away from danger, a chaotic home life, to get to school in time for breakfast club because he’s hungry - with running as a sport.

Despite the disadvantages Tom faces before being fostered – not even having PE kit for school – he’s good at running and the film climaxes with Tom taking part in an athletics tournament, running in a stadium, with the support of his new foster family.

It’s Tom’s chance to shine. Can Tom win his race? On the track and in his life?

Councillor Umme Ali, Portfolio Holder with responsibility for children’s services, said: “‘The Run project has produced an insightful film which shows the huge impact fostering can have on a child’s wellbeing, and demonstrates the importance of providing young people in foster care support that they can depend on.

“We need more people to step forward and become foster carers in Luton. ‘The Run’ will help us to reach more people in our communities and encourage them to find out more about this rewarding role.

“We are committed to giving vulnerable children and young people we care for the best chance to thrive, which for the vast majority of them is with local fostering families.”

The film’s project director Rachel Brown explains: “This whole project grew out of the constant struggle to recruit foster carers, when you have limited resources. By working as a group – which has grown from 12 to over 90 councils across the country – we’ve found a way to raise our voice and shout.

“I say shout quite deliberately - because this is a national emergency. Make no mistake, children’s futures depend on having homes to give them a supportive, nurturing upbringing.

“The Run’ won’t change things on its own, but we hope that everyone who sees it, will at least pause for thought, hopefully stepping forward to help our most vulnerable children and young people.”

If you want to help a local child and make a difference, get in touch now with Luton fostering service, call 01582 547633, email [email protected] or visit www.luton.gov.uk/fostering