Hundreds of missing Brits missing overseas

UNDER the Freedom Of Information Act, the BBC learns from the Foreign Office that 145 Britons were missing abroad at the end of 2008.

2008: 481 new cases reported. At end of year, a running total of 145 cases remained open

2007: 401 new cases reported. At end of year, a running total of 41 cases remained open

2006: 336 new cases reported. At end of year, a running total of 171 cases remained open

Accurate figures only go back to 2006.

And the families of the missing can do something:

Amber Alert
The McCanns, parents of Madeleine McCann champion the system - Amber Alert

SafetyText
Created by Tim Blackman, father of Lucie Blackman who was murdered in Japan

Missing People (formerly the National Missing Persons Helpline)
Janet Newman and Mary Asprey, were to become co-Founders of National Missing Persons Helpline, perhaps one of the most influential charities of recent times. With no news of Suzy’s whereabouts media attention moved to the apparent lack of support for missing persons’ families, such as Paul and Diane Lamplugh. This became one of the objectives of a Trust they established in Suzys name, a trust which two of the Lamplughs’ friends and neighbours made important contributions. Mary Asprey’s son had attended nursery school with Suzy and Mary was anxious to help a friend whose daughter had gone missing.

Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Suzy Lamplugh Trust is the UK’s national charity for Personal Safety.

Polly Klaas
In order to handle the many generous donations to the volunteer search team, the members had to file for official non-profit status. This was achieved within a month of Polly’s kidnapping, and the Polly Klaas Foundation was born.

When hope is lost, the bereft try to give hope to others - and in doing so, help themselves…