£300,000 raised at gala to help fund vital services for people who have gone missing
An incredible £300,000 was raised at the annual gala event in recognition of Missing People’s vital services. Independent as a partner of the charity.
Funds were raised at the charity’s Night of Light Gala on Thursday, where the special shoes worn by Claudia Winkleman were auctioned off. traitorslunch with charity patron Sir Stephen Fry and two paintings by Team GB artist Ben Mosley.
The large sum will go towards services helping those in crisis, including SafeCall, which launched in January. IndependentWe’re delivering it to our readers through our Christmas fundraising campaign.
The event welcomed families of lost loved ones and the charity’s partners and supporters, who came together to support Missing People’s aim to support those living with the heartache of an empty chair.
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Ross Miller, interim chief executive of Missing People, said: “The evening was filled with warmth, compassion and a shared commitment to supporting missing people and those who matter to them. This is a cause for our time.
“We were delighted to shed light on transformational difference readers. Independent We have established our partnership and will continue to maintain it. “We are particularly grateful to Catherine O’Sullivan for sharing her story and how the charity supported their family’s search for Jack.”
donate Here or donate £10 to Missing People by texting SAFE to 70577 – enough for one child to get help.
Ms O’Sullivan, whose son Jack has been missing since March 2024, spoke of the heartbreak of the disappearance of a loved one.
He said: “There is pain in life when someone dies. When someone disappears there is pain, fear, hope, confusion and thousands of unanswered questions constantly running through your head. It’s completely incomprehensible.
“It’s the last thing I think about at night and the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning. My thoughts constantly replay over and over again; where are you, Jack?”
“People ask me what it’s like? How do you cope? The truth is, it’s a living nightmare, a roller coaster from Hell that you’re on and can’t get off.”
He added: “Missing People was there at the worst time of our lives. Not just as a charity, but as an essential lifeline. They support families as the world moves on, but the nightmare is not. They provide practical guidance, emotional support, promotion and, importantly, advocacy.”
Earlier this year, Independent and Missing People announce the launch of SafeCall, a free and confidential support service designed to keep children and young people safe.
With the support of our readers and the likes of Sir Keir Starmer, Kate McCann, Sir David Beckham, Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen and others, IndependentThe SafeCall campaign raised more than £165,000 to launch the lifeline.
Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief IndependentHe also spoke at the event. He said: “We are delighted to support the Missing People’s Night of Light Gala, which raised an extraordinary amount of money.
“The launch of the groundbreaking new SafeCall service through our campaign just a few weeks ago means young people thinking about getting lost now have a lifeline to get emergency help, something that has been desperately needed for a very long time.”
Please donate now The Independent and Missing People’s SafeCall campaign, which raised £165,000 to create a free nationwide service helping vulnerable children find safety and support
If you or a loved one gets lost, get in touch for advice, support and options SafeCall.org.uk
