The Independent hits goal of £165,000 to assist lacking kids throughout UK in SafeCall marketing campaign | EUROtoday

The Independent is proud to announce that the SafeCall marketing campaign has hit its goal of £165,000 to launch a brand new nationwide lifeline for lacking younger individuals throughout the UK.

Thanks to an unbelievable outpouring of public help for this publication’s Christmas enchantment, alongside charity Missing People, the free, round the clock service can now be set as much as attain the 72,000 kids who disappear within the UK yearly.

With a teenager reported lacking roughly each two-and-a-half minutes, this can be a nationwide disaster that SafeCall can now deal with, providing help, security and connection to susceptible kids once they want it most.

Jo Youle, chief govt of Missing People, stated: “We want to say a heartfelt thank you to every reader, and the incredible team at The Independentwho supported the SafeCall Appeal. Your generosity, compassion, and willingness to stand alongside young people in crisis have brought us to this milestone moment.

“Thanks to you, Missing People can now build and launch SafeCall in 2026, providing confidential support to young people who feel scared, isolated, or at risk. We can be there no matter what the situation and for however long it takes. The new service will exist thanks to your generosity.

“You have helped create something that will make a real and lasting difference to young lives across the UK. We hope you will stay by our side throughout 2026. We couldn’t have done this without you.”

The information of reaching the marketing campaign’s goal comes as The Independent highlights on its Christmas Day entrance web page the individuals who went lacking as kids or youngsters, and whose households are nonetheless desperately looking for them this festive season.

Donate right here or textual content SAFE to 70577 to offer £10 to Missing People – sufficient for one little one to get assist.

Family members of kids who’ve disappeared opened as much as this publication about how “horrific” spending Christmas with out a lacking cherished one could be.

Thinking again on the primary Christmas after his 15-year-old son Lee had disappeared in 1988, Peter Boxell stated: “I had hoped Lee might come home or we might hear from him – obviously I wanted him to come home for Christmas. We had an extra space at the table for him for Christmas dinner in case he came home. It was just heartbreaking.”

Alongside the generosity of our readers, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer threw his backing behind the marketing campaign, saying that every one younger individuals “deserve safety”. His help was joined by a number of public figures together with Missing People ambassador Kate McCann, actor and author Sir Stephen Fry, campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, former England soccer captain Sir David Beckham and presenter Lorraine Kelly.

Riot Women actor Amelia Bullmore, who additionally backed the marketing campaign, stated: “I’m incredibly proud to have supported this campaign, and deeply grateful to The Independent and every reader who backed it. Your generosity and belief in SafeCall means vulnerable young people across the UK will now have a safe, confidential place to turn.”

Actor Sam Hoare, one other early backer of the trigger, added: “Thank you to The Independent and its readers for making SafeCall possible. By backing this campaign, you’ve recognised the urgent need for early, confidential support for young people at risk – and you’ve helped turn that need into real action.”

Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief of The Independentstated: “This Christmas, I want to thank our readers for something truly extraordinary. Together, you have helped us reach £165,000 for SafeCall – a lifeline for young people who are missing, frightened or in danger.

“Journalism matters most when it leads to action, and your generosity proves that compassion can still cut through the noise. If you are able to give a little more, please do. For a child who feels lost, it could mean everything.”

The marketing campaign has not solely been about launching the brand new service however about elevating consciousness – sparking debate and pushing for change on a difficulty that continues to be widespread but under-prioritised, with greater than 430,000 individuals total affected every year by the disappearance of a kid.

Teenagers stay the most probably to go lacking, with these aged 12 to 17 accounting for 61 per cent of all incidents, but many say there’s nonetheless no service designed to satisfy their wants.

SafeCall will guarantee lacking younger individuals, or these susceptible to disappearing, can attain out in a manner that feels most secure to them, with anonymity assured and help obtainable at any hour. The free service will develop Missing People’s attain via a devoted helpline, a WhatsApp channel, a 24-hour chatbot and a redesigned web site providing recommendation written for younger individuals.

Missing People at the moment reaches about one in 4 of the kids reported lacking every year – and due to the help of our readers, SafeCall will now attain many extra.

Please donate now to The Independent and Missing People’s SafeCall marketing campaign, which has raised £165,000 to create a free, nationwide service serving to susceptible kids discover security and help.

For recommendation, help and choices should you or somebody you’re keen on goes lacking, textual content or name the charity Missing People on 116 000. It’s free, confidential and non-judgemental. Or go to missingpeople.org.uk/get-help