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For more information about all Council Services see www.blackburn.gov.uk The Shuttle 21BOROUGHSHORTSREMEMBRANCEPictures are courtesy of the Lancashire Telegraph.By Shuttle StaffBlackburn Rovers midfielder DavidDunn is lending his support to a newcampaign to find loving homes forchildren across Blackburn with Darwen.It comes on the back of a new highprofilemarketing and advertising campaignto promote adoption.The ‘Their Wants. Your Call’ campaignwill see designs using the feedbackof parents who have adopted andthose waiting to adopt, being displayedon billboards and bus shelters throughoutBlackburn and Darwen. Radio advertsusing the voices of local childrenare also being broadcast across thecounty.ASPIRATIONSThe designs feature images of childrenand their aspirations such as brother andsister Deven and Nikhil who are lookingfor somebody to play football with andsix-year-old Jemima who wants somebodyto cook for her.Rovers star and dad David Dunnhas proudly lent his support to the campaign.The home-grown hero is committedto giving youngsters a chance.He set up the charity STREETS (SportsTo Radically Educate Everyone To Succeed)with friend and business partnerJohn Magee, who came from a troubledbackground to turn his life around andnow works with young people to helpbetter their lives.To kick-start the campaign, Davidsaid: “When I was growing up I wantedto be a professional footballer anddreamed of playing for my local club.My dream came true and just like I had;these children all have their own dreamsand deserve the best chance in life.”He added: “It is sad to think thatthere are so many children in our ownlocal neighbourhoods waiting for a new“WE NEED MOREPEOPLE TO SERIOUSLYCONSIDER ADOPTION.”- CouncillorMaureenBatesonROVERS STAR BACKSNEW ADOPTION DRIVEfamily to love them.VALUABLE“Being a father myself I am keen to supportthis valuable campaign and help toshow that adoption is a wonderful wayto give a child a fresh start in life.”The Council has embarked on thenew campaign after the number of childrenwaiting to be adopted has doubledfrom 25 last year to 50 now. The numberof children coming into the care systemhas increased in the wake of Baby P –requiring local authorities to interveneearlier to protect children at risk,whilst the financial climate is havingan impact on those familiesstruggling to cope.Councillor MaureenBateson, Blackburn withDarwen Council’s ExecutiveMember for Children’sServices, added: “Theaim of this campaign isto attract more peopleto consider adoptionand help spread theword about the needfor more people tocome forward. I amdelighted that Davidand John have agreed tosupport the Council in itsefforts to find families for ourchildren.”Councillor Bateson added:“People may be worriedabout the financial climateand that may be somethingthat’s putting peopleoff coming forward.What some people maynot realise is that anyadoptive parent is entitledto the same financialbenefits as any other parentwould be and they will befully supported throughoutthe process.“We need more peopleto seriously consider adoptionand want people toknow that we will consideranybody from singleparents, older couples,families who already havechildren and same sex couples – nobodyshould rule themselves out. Come andtalk to us.”David’s business partner John, whogrew up on the Roman Road estate inBlackburn, said: “I am passionate aboutthis community its young people andhelping them achieve their best in life.I am proud to help support the Councilwith this new campaign because it’s puttingsomething back into the communitythat I grew up in.”For more information about adoptionFreephone: 0800 328 6919.HolocaustMemorial DayResidents are being invited to takepart in Holocaust Memorial Day onSunday, January 27.On that day, Blackburn with Darwenwill remember all the victims ofgenocide, oppression and torture.The Interfaith Forum and Blackburnwith Darwen Council are onceagain supporting the event with a serviceon the steps of Blackburn TownHall on King William Street.The day commemorates all thosewho were affected by the Holocaust,in which six million Jews and thousandsof others lost their lives.The ceremony also remembersmore recent genocides such as thosein Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda andDarfur.This year’s theme is CommunitiesTogether: Build a Bridge.The theme for Holocaust MemorialDay 2013 asks us all to rememberthose communities which were destroyedin the Holocaust, under NaziPersecution and in subsequent genocidesand to build bridges to a betterfuture.Councillor Kate Hollern, leader ofthe Council, said: “It is incredibly importantto remember the victims andhonour the survivors of genocide.“This day allows us to do that. Iurge everyone to join us on Sunday toreflect on the most shameful periodsin history of the modern world.“We must make sure that thesecrimes and their victims are never forgottenso that.”CARERSRights dayBlackburn with Darwen CarersService held an event to markCarers Rights Day.The national awareness day, organisedby Carers UK, aims to informcarers of the rights, benefits and servicesthey are entitled to.The theme of the day was GettingHelp in Tough Times.A host of advisers and informationstalls were on hand for carers toget help and guidance.Creating a connected, prosperous, clean, safe and healthy Blackburn with Darwen