‘One child in UK reported every five minutes' (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

‘One child in UK reported every five minutes'

11:59am Friday 21st November 2008 in Missing People News By Ian Mason

Most of us will never have to face the emotional ordeal of seeing a loved one go missing but those that do can turn to a national charity based in East Sheen.

Readers may be familiar with the work of Missing People – which celebrates its 15th birthday this year – as it has been involved with several high- profile disappearance cases, including that of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who was officially declared dead in 1994 after being reported missing in 1986, and missing toddler Madeleine McCann.

But the work carried out by staff and volunteers stretches beyond nationwide appeals.

One child is reported missing in the UK every five minutes and 210,000 reports of missing people are recorded every year in the UK – this is where Missing People comes in.

From its Upper Richmond Road West offices a dedicated team runs a 24-hour helpline for people who are missing someone, a confidential helpline for runaways and a Freefone service that helps people contact their family or carers via a message or three-way call.

Ian McNicol, father of Dinah McNicol – whose remains were discovered buried in a garden in Margate last year, 15 years after she disappeared – turned to the charity for support and help.

“In order to continue our vital work we need the people and local businesses of Richmond and Twickenham and surrounding areas to support us this Christmas. Donations from individuals and local companies really do make a difference for a charity of our size.”

Paul Tuohy

He said: “Without the support of Missing People, I simply would not be alive today.”

Barnes resident Vivian Fowler, who began as a volunteer before being employed to work on the Message Home and Runaway Helpline service, said: “Every call is about one individual’s life and it is very rewarding if we can help to improve it in some small way.”

The work is not for the faint of heart. Scattered around the office space – home to around 60 paid employees and volunteers – there are pictures of families along with their thoughts and feelings about the person close to them who has disappeared.

On Sunday March 2, 1986, 16-year-old Kevin Hicks left home in Croydon to buy some eggs ready for his cookery exam the following day. He has not been seen since.

His sister, Alex, writes: “I’ve still got the bottle of champagne my mum and dad bought him for his 18th.

“And that’ll be opened when I know one way or another. If he’s alive it’ll be opened when I meet him – or smashed over his head – either way!

“But if he has passed away I’ll probably open it and put him with my mum and dad. I’ll pour it over my mum and dad’s little garden that I’ve got at the crematorium for them…it sounds stupid but it’s his champagne.”

Reading the different experiences it is impossible not to put yourself in the families’ shoes, to feel on some small level what they must feel every day.

What amazed me as I was taken around the headquarters to meet people and discover how the charity operates was how upbeat everyone was.

Media officer, Brian Cowan, explained that there are many reasons to be positive.

Of the 56 new unidentified cases opened by Missing People in 2007/08, 41 were resolved within a year and 77 per cent of the cases the charity publicised in 2007/08 were resolved.

Missing People was co-founded by sisters Janet Newman and Mary Asprey in the early 1990s. From humble beginnings in the bedroom of their East Sheen home the service has proved invaluable to anyone seeking support and grown.

The charity’s work has attracted supporters like Sir Trevor McDonald, who acts as its vice-patron.

He said: “Ours is a small charity which seeks to address a pressing national problem.

“Your help is especially needed at this time of year.”

To help the charity continue as a lifeline to those in need the Richmond and Twickenham Times is asking readers to support our appeal to raise £15,000 for future funding.

Missing People’s chief executive Paul Tuohy said: “In order to continue our vital work we need the people and local businesses of Richmond and Twickenham and surrounding areas to support us this Christmas. Donations from individuals and local companies really do make a difference for a charity of our size.”

In the run-up to Christmas, this newspaper will, each week, give readers’ a greater insight into the charity, its services, the people helping make it a success and also how a disappearance can impact family and friends.

• If you have seen any of the missing people featured please call the confidential 24 hour charity Missing People on Freefone 0500 700 700 If you would like to volunteer visit missingpeople.org.uk/volunteer for further details.

To donate to the charity call Freefone 0800 2 98 78 58 or visit missingpeople. org.uk/donate For more information visit missingpeople.org.uk. To download a donation form click here.