SafeCall campaign receives £35,000 in donations during first week
The SafeCall campaign has raised £35,000 in donations, thanks to two incredibly generous readers who anonymously contributed £25,000 and £10,000 respectively.
With the help of our readers, IndependentTogether with the charity Missing People, it aims to raise funds to launch a new, free call service that will provide children in crisis with confidential support, guidance and a route to safety.
The donations come amid a remarkable first week filled with calls, messages and high-profile support that showed the SafeCall campaign is making strong progress towards its overall goal.
Sir David Beckham and Sir Ian Rankin are among the latest celebrities to back the campaign, which sets out to raise £165,000 to help the 70,000 children who go missing in the UK every year.
Peter Boxell, whose son Lee Boxell disappeared when he was 15, said: “Our lives changed forever when my son Lee went missing. “Decades have passed and we still don’t have the answers we need.
“I have always believed that if we can help even one young person stay safe or prevent one family from going through the pain I did, it is worth every effort.
“The SafeSearch service has the potential to do just that – intervening early, giving vulnerable young people a safe place to turn before something terrible happens to them.”
donate Here or text SAFE to 70577 to donate £10 to Missing People, enough for one child to get help.
Following nearly two decades of advocacy efforts, former England captain Sir David is backing the campaign and has appealed for support from people to help launch the service.
Posting on Instagram, she said: “It’s heartbreaking that 70,000 children go missing every year in the UK. Please support.” Independent and Missing People UK will help launch SafeCall, a new 24-hour lifeline for vulnerable and lost young people to find safety.
Sir Stephen Fry and Dame Esther Rantzen, as well as author Sir Ian, have also joined forces to support the campaign; He spent most of his life writing crime novels and through his research learned the hard truths of a missing person case.
Money raised from the campaign will be used directly to help vulnerable young people access help and support through a service to be designed with young people’s input.
Mr Boxell added: “A confidential and understanding voice on the other end of the phone can make all the difference.
“For families like mine, knowing that a service like this exists will offer real hope that others can be spared the heartache and uncertainty we continue to experience.
“I am deeply grateful Independent and Missing People for recognizing how vital this service can be and helping raise awareness. “With enough public support and donations, we can make SafeCall a reality and give young people a lifeline that can save lives.”
Please donate now to the SafeCall campaign launched by The Independent and the charity Missing People and help raise £165,000 to create a free service to help lost children find safety, security and support.
For advice, support and options, if you or a loved one is lost, text or call the charity Missing People on 116 000. It’s free, confidential and non-judgmental. Or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/get-help
