Dalton Zoo boss organises special day for dads
Last updated at 15:10, Friday, 05 February 2010
DALTON Zoo is helping to raise awareness of the struggle facing many estranged fathers nationwide.
South Lakes Wild Animal Park is set to host a special day for all fathers who have been separated from their children, either with contact orders or forced separation.
The awareness day takes place on July 18 and park officials expect a guaranteed audience of around 4,000 people.
Signatures for a petition to help the campaign will be collected throughout the whole summer at the park, which will be presented to a senior government minister after the event.
There will be special offers for fathers who have difficulties seeing their children after a relationship breakdown. Zoo boss David Gill wants to encourage as many dads as possible to attend and highlight their cause.
Mr Gill said: “The fathers are very often the losers and children are often the losers when a relationship breaks down.
“It is a very serious and a very emotional subject for most fathers when they lose contact with their children, or are restricted to contact.
“I want to highlight the fact that this is a hidden tragedy that is happening to hundreds of thousands of fathers throughout this country.
“I want to highlight the issue in as big and as public a way as possible.
“But not by doing something a little bit silly but by doing something constructive.
“We are trying to hear as many fathers experiences as possible so that we can learn from it, and provide information to the government.
“We want fathers rights, family help and other professional organisations to come along to give advice, counselling and really get as many people as we can together with the same issues to be a big voice, because one person can’t change it.
“We want people to actually realise that fathers are just as important as mothers in any child’s life.”
First published at 13:00, Friday, 05 February 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Have your say
All Dads out there keep at it. Only you and your kids know the true story. In my case even the kids dont know the true story. Do not give up on your kids. There is real hurt & pain initially but think of the future when the kids can make there own mind up. If you give up they will give up. Do not give up on your kids. Only you know how it should be and how it should have ended...... Stick with it.
Posted by paul fitzsimmons on 5 February 2010 at 23:15