FOSTER parents are desperately needed to help give 60 Syrian children, who are threatened with exploitation, a new home.

Coming from refugee camps in Greece, Italy, and Syria, the first two youngsters are expected to arrive later this week.

But the mission to get them to safety has hit a setback – a lack of homes in the district willing to take them in. The Rural Refugee Network (RRN) of Petersfield is working with Hampshire County Council to pave the way for the youngsters, currently living in shacks and tents to start a new life in the county.

The charity has already helped home refugee families in the district, who are “settling in very happily,” it says.

An art sale at Langrish attracted more than 200 buyers, and saw artists donate proceeds worth £9,000 to the charity.

Emily Mott, of RNN, said as well as helping refugees already here, money from the “amazingly generous” art sale will buy necessities for the youngsters when they arrive.

She said: “Unaccompanied children languishing in camps are often targeted by people smugglers, and they can become victims of sexual abuse and slavery.

“Hampshire has agreed to support 60 lone children, but homes are needed now.”

RNN has issued a plea for retired carers and foster parents to fill the urgent immediate need. And to help in the long term, potential foster parents are invited to find out more about the role.

Preferred destinations in Hampshire for the children can’t be identified.

But Petersfield and the surrounding villages ticked a lot of boxes when refugee families were being rehomed, and it’s likely similar criteria will decide the youngsters’ future.

Emily said: “Our team will help support them, before they are here, and when they arrive. The council will be involved and probably the Red Cross and Home Office.”

After the first two children arrive, the council has agreed to take two a month from then on. For the most part they are likely to be boys aged 12 to 18 years old.

Cllr Keith Mans said: “We are working with partners and agencies, including the Rural Refugee Network, to develop services and resources to support refugee children and young people.

“We are also trying to find families who may be able to foster the children.

“So we are asking families with childcare skills, or experience of supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, to get in touch to see if they are able to help.”

Visit the council webpage www.hants.gov.uk/adoption andfostering or call 0300 555 1384 for more details.