11k Christmas gift from Royal Mail helps Missing People

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An East Sheen charity which helps families and friends find loved ones who have gone missing will be able to remain open throughout the festive period thanks to a donation by the Royal Mail.

Every year, the charity Missing People’s Home for Christmas Appeal looks to raise enough funds to keep its 24/7 crisis team available between Christmas and New Year. The charity has welcomed a £11,000 donation from Royal Mail, which will keep its free helpline open around the clock from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day.

Missing People's CEO Jo Youle said: “For those of us fortunate enough to have our loved ones close by, or in contact, over the festive period, it’s hard to imagine how painful it can be for families left desperately missing someone they love.

“Our brilliant team will be here at Missing People HQ throughout the festive period to listen and support and it’s thanks to Royal Mail that the lights will stay on throughout what can be the hardest days for many families missing a loved one.

“Over the last three years, financial and operational support from Royal Mail has transformed our ability to find vulnerable missing people fast. I’m thrilled that they have chosen to support our Home for Christmas Appeal this Christmas”.

The charity’s crisis support line can be contacted by phone, text and email and is operated from its East Sheen office, where it has been based for over 20 years. Staff and volunteers, many of whom live locally, keep the helpline open year-round for people in crisis who are missing or missing a loved one.

For three years, Royal Mail has been supporting the charity, which runs the only helpline in the UK for those who are missing and their families.

Since then, the company has helped find missing people through their innovative alerting system which informs postmen and women on the ground if a high risk missing person is believed to be in their area.

To date, over 150 alerts for missing people have been issued to Royal Mail’s hand-held PDA Network, on business television screens and on myroyalmail.com. Of those appealed for, 114 people have been found safe and well.

In addition to alerts for high risk missing people, the company has committed to supporting the national Child Rescue Alert system, which is run by Missing People, in partnership with the National Crime Agency and technology company Groupcall for the third consecutive year.