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Independent Proud to announce that secure call The campaign has reached its target of £165,000 To launch a new national lifeline For missing youth across the UK.
Thank you for the incredible support from the public for this publication Christmas Requestalong with donations missing peopleThe Free, 24/7 service It could now be set up to reach the 72,000 children who go missing in the UK each year.
With a young person reported missing approximately every two and a half minutes, this is a national crisis that SafeCall can now tackle, offering vulnerable children support, protection and connection when they need it most.
Jo Youle, chief executive of Missing People, said: “We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to every reader and the incredible team.” IndependentWho supported the SafeCall appeal. Your generosity, compassion and willingness to stand with youth in crisis has led us to this important 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. Whatever the situation and how long it takes we can be there. The new service will exist because of your generosity.
“You’ve helped to create something that will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of young people across the UK. We hope you’ll stay with us until 2026. We couldn’t do it without you.”
News is coming that the campaign has reached its goal Independent Its Christmas Day front page highlights people who went missing as children or teenagers, and whose families They are still eagerly looking for them this festive season,
donate Here Or text SAFE to 70577 to give missing people £10 – enough to get one child support.
Family members of children who have gone missing have told the publication how “terrifying” it can be to spend Christmas without a missing loved one.
Recalling the first Christmas after the disappearance of her 15-year-old son Lee in 1988, Peter Boxell said: “I was hoping that Lee might come home or we’d maybe hear from him – obviously I wanted him to come home for Christmas. If he had come home we would have had an extra place for him at the table for Christmas dinner. It was just heartbreaking.”
Along with the generosity of our readers, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer He supported the campaign, saying that all youth “deserve protection”. A number of public figures joined in their support, including Missing People Ambassador Kate McCann, actor and author sir stephen fryCampaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, former England football captain sir david beckham and presenter Lorraine Kelly,
rioting women Actor Amelia Bullmore, also supported the campaignSaid: “I’m incredibly proud to support this campaign, and I’m so grateful for Independent And every reader who supported it. Your generosity and trust in SafeCall means vulnerable young people across the UK will now have a safe, confidential place to go.
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Actor Sam Hoare, Another early supporter Regarding the reason, added: “Thank you Independent And thank you to its readers for making SafeCall possible. By supporting this campaign, you have recognized the urgent need for prompt, confidential support for at-risk youth – and you have helped turn that need into real action.
Geordie Greig, Editor in Chief Independentsaid: “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 at risk.
“Journalism matters most when it leads to action, and your generosity proves that compassion can still cut through the noise. If you’re able to give a little more, please do. For a child who feels lost, it can mean everything.”
The campaign is not only about launching a new service, but also about raising awareness – sparking debate and pushing for change on an issue that is widespread yet low on priority, with a total of more than 430,000 people affected by the disappearance of a child each year.
Teenagers are the most likely to go missing, with those aged 12 to 17 accounting for 61 per cent of all incidents, yet many say there are still no services designed to meet their needs.
SafeCall will ensure that young people who are missing, or at risk of missing, can reach out in a way that feels safest to them, with anonymity guaranteed and support available at any time. The free service will expand the reach of missing people through a dedicated helpline, a WhatsApp channel, a 24-hour chatbot and a redesigned website offering advice written for young people.
Missing People currently reaches one in four children who go missing each year – and thanks to the support of our readers, SafeCall will now reach many more.
Please Donate Now The Independent and Missing People’s SafeCall campaign, which has raised £165,000 to create a free, nationwide service to help vulnerable children find safety and support.
If you or a loved one is missing, text or call the charity Missing People on 116000 for advice, support and options. It’s free, confidential and non-judgmental. or visit missingpeople.org.uk/get-help