A new appeal has been made to help end the anguish of families with missing relatives.
Missing People, the national charity, has revealed that there are more than 40 people who have been missing for long periods in the Yorkshire region alone.
They include two Huddersfield men - Steven Cooper, who vanished in January 2008 and Dariusz Michalowski, who disappeared in March 2011.
Now the charity is extending its appeal, thanks to a donation by lucky People’s Postcode Lottery winners from Holmfirth.
Last weekend, 67 winners from parts of Holmfirth shared out £2m from the Lottery fund, with furniture firm manager James Wilson picking up £400,000.
It has been confirmed that one of the good causes to benefit from the fund is Missing People, who have received £25,000.
They hope it will promote their work in appealing to find the missing men, women and children, and end the anguish for many families.
Jo Youle, chief executive of the charity, said: “Right now, the charity Missing People is appealing for more than 41 people missing in Yorkshire, including Steven Cooper who is currently missing from Huddersfield. His family, and the families of all those who are missing, are desperately worried and need to know everything possible is being done to find their loved ones in the hope of bringing them home safe and well.
“It takes just two minutes to sign up to play People’s Postcode Lottery. In that same time someone’s loved one will go missing in the UK. Every five minutes, that missing loved one will be a child. In searching for those missing every second counts and that’s why the charity Missing People needs as much help as possible to look for and reunite missing loved ones”.
Take a look at the big presentation for the Postcode Lottery winners below.
Missing People uses newspaper, poster and social media campaigns to get appeals out quickly to thousands of volunteers, partners and members of the public; whilst the charity’s memorable helpline number – 116 000 – makes it easy for missing people and anyone with information about a missing person to contact us free and in confidence, 24/7.
Ms Youle added: “We’re immensely grateful to James and to all People’s Postcode Lottery players in Holmfirth. We could not hope to bring vulnerable missing children and adults like Steven home safe and well without such generous contributions”.
FACTFILE
Steven Cooper
Had just celebrated his 47th birthday when he disappeared from Golcar on January 21, 2008. His car was found at Loch Laggan, near Fort William, Scotland, but there has been no sightings of him since.
Steven left home without his driving licence, passport or bank cards. He left more than £100 cash at home and didn’t take a change of clothing. No note was found.
Dariusz Michalowski
The 44-year-old odd job man was last seen by a family member at his home address on Macauly Road in Birkby on Sunday, March 13, last year at around 2.30pm.
He told a cousin that he was visiting friends in the Lockwood area but did not return home and has not been seen since.
