La Mirror’s Missed campaign was launched on Mother’s Day, March 30th, to advocate for improved support and care for the 170,000 individuals, including 75,000 children, who go missing annually in the UK. Together with the national charity Missing People, the goal is to enhance awareness and assist in bringing at least one missing person home by 2025 by sharing their poignant stories.
One success story from the campaign involved 17-year-old Deante James, who disappeared from his London residence but was found unharmed a few weeks after his story was featured. His mother, Vandana, expressed gratitude to The Mirror, stating how overwhelmed she was when informed of his safe return.
To support The Mirror’s Missed campaign, readers can vote by visiting the designated link and selecting the National Media option before following the voting instructions. Since the campaign’s inception, numerous missing persons cases have been highlighted, with mothers sharing their emotional experiences on Mother’s Day.
On Father’s Day, children mourning the absence of their fathers, including Dottie, April, Chanel, Dougie, and Tessa, voiced their longing for their dads’ return, backing The Mirror’s Missed initiative. Additionally, The Mirror introduced an interactive map where sightings of missing individuals can be reported confidentially and easily shared on social media, allowing users to view missing persons’ information and photos.
The campaign has been shortlisted for the 2025 Making a Difference Award during Journalism Matters Week, emphasizing the positive impact of journalism on society. With someone disappearing every 90 seconds in the UK, the campaign urges the government to establish a new strategy for missing children and adults, emphasizing the importance of prevention and post-return support.
Readers are encouraged to vote for The Mirror’s Missed campaign before the deadline to help make a difference in the lives of missing individuals. In case the voting link was missed, it can be accessed again by visiting the provided URL and following the instructions outlined.