THE North-East has been chosen to pilot a new campaign to find families for children waiting to be adopted.

There are 220 children in the North-East waiting for a home at the moment. The new campaign will encourage people in the region to consider adoption by telling stories of family life that reflect real adopters’ experiences.

The campaign, which is backed by the national adoption information service, First4Adoption, will run until the end of this week, with adverts featuring in local newspapers, online and on local radio.

It is being backed by Durham County Council, Darlington Borough Council, Middlesbrough Council, Stockton Council, Hartlepool Council and Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Gemma Gordon-Johnson, head of service at First4Adoption, said: “We want this campaign to mark a new era in the recruitment of adopters. In recent years, there have been important improvements in the adoption system that has made it easier to place children with families as quickly as possible.

“But there is still more to be done. We need more people in the North-East and beyond to come forward and start their adoption story if the needs of all children, for who adoption is the best option, are going to be met.”

Anyone interested in adopting a child, can visit first4adoption.org.uk or call 0300 222 0022.