Burstow helps highlights heartbreak of missing children

10.06.30am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th Jun 2006

On 25th May - International Missing Children's Day - the sister of a missing 16 year old from Croydon will journey to the Houses of Parliament, in a liveried taxi displaying an appeal for her brother, to meet Paul Burstow MP, co-sponsor of an Early Day Motion tabled by Helen Southworth MP to safeguard vulnerable children and young people.

The motion, which supports Helen's Ten Minute Rule Bill, Protection of Runaway and Missing Children, recognises the National Missing Persons Helpline's dedicated service for young people, the Runaway Helpline, and encourages the government to work with the charity to maintain the Helpline as it marks its second anniversary (launched 25th May 2004).

Alex Hicks, the sister of missing Kevin Hicks, is hoping her special journey in a taxi carrying an external appeal for her brother and appeals for other young missing people on tip-up seats inside, will lead to more MPs signing the motion.

Kevin Hicks, then 16, disappeared after leaving on the 2nd March 1986 in order to buy eggs for a cookery exam the next day.

Alex will be accompanied by her two daughters Faye, 15 and Amy, 12 who never got to meet their uncle. Each will wear a campaign T-shirt featuring appeals for eight of the nations missing children.

Alex says: "If a service such as the Runaway Helpline had been available when Kevin went missing, we might not have gone through the 20 years of agony that we have.

"The charity works so hard on all issues of missing persons and it's often forgotten that they are there to support those left behind too."

So far the Early Day Motion, which has cross-party support, has been signed by 185 MP's (as of 19th May 2006) and is due for a second reading on the 14th July.

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Sutton and Cheam, Paul Burstow said:

"Every person missing case can be heartbreaking for the family, friends and loved ones left behind.

"I can only commend the strength and bravery displayed by the families like the Hicks' for whom a husband or wife, brother or sister, father or mother, aunty or uncle is sadly missing.

"I applaud too the supportive work of the National Missing Persons Helpline, whether addressing the issues faced by people away from home or care, or offering support to those left behind.

"The Government have a key role to play in supporting this vital work, and alongside my parliamentary colleagues, I will be continuing to press for further support of their dedicated Runaway Helpline to safeguard the welfare vulnerable missing individuals."

Since its launch the Runaway Helpline, part of National Missing Persons Helpline, has taken over 45,000 calls in 2004 and 57,000 calls in 2005. It operates 24h a day, is confidential and free to the caller. A report by the Children's Society estimates that at least 100,000 children and young people run away or go missing from home or care each year in the UK.*

National Missing Persons Helpline CEO, Paul Tuohy, says of the Early Day Motion: "The Runaway Helpline has become an essential service for young people who are away from home or care.

"This EDM should be signed by any MP concerned with the safety of vulnerable runaways who face dangers such as sleeping rough, staying with strangers and experiencing physical and sexual assault while they are away."

The taxi initiative and campaign day have been organised by National Missing Persons Helpline as part of its Summer Search campaign to highlight the missing and the plight of families left behind.

Alex Hicks and her two daughters feature in the current Summer Search campaign poster which appeals for the public to help reunite families with a small text donation to the charity. To donate to the Summer Search text 'missing' to 84010 or buy a T-shirt featuring Kevin at www.missingpersons.org

If you have seen Kevin please call the National Missing Persons Helpline on Freephone 0500 700 700. The Runaway Helpline can be contacted on 0808 800 7070 and www.runawayhelpline.org.uk