Special Service in Edinburgh to mark the 40,000 people who go missing in Scotland Every Year
X-Factor stars and operatic multi-platinum-selling vocal quartet G4 featured in a special Carol Service at St John’s Church on Princes Street on Tuesday night. The charity Missing People is the UK’s only charity supporting people who are missing and their families.
Readings were given by Superintendent Andy McKay, the national missing persons strategic coordinator at Police Scotland, and Annabelle Ewing MSP, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs.
Each year, the charity Missing People holds carol services around the UK and this year saw the first ever event held in Scotland where Police Scotland received over 40,000 calls about missing people last year.
The event marked a milestone in the charity’s relationship with Edinburgh-based People’s Postcode Lottery, as the charity celebrates the cumulative total raised by players reaching a sensational four million pounds.
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said: “We’re delighted to be joining Missing People and their supporters at their Edinburgh Carol Service to recognise a phenomenal milestone – our players raising their four millionth pound for the charity. It’s a source of great pride for us that these funds allow the charity to make a huge difference to the lives of those affected by a disappearance.”
G4 member Ben Thapa, who was reunited with his father after falling out of contact for many years said: “Anyone who has experienced a missing loved one knows that their absence is felt every single day. We’re thrilled to be joining Missing People in Edinburgh this Christmas to lend our voices to this very special concert to remember those who are missing. This vital charity works tirelessly to help find those who are missing and make them safe, whilst helping their families through the hardest times imaginable and we are proud to support them.”
Ticket proceeds and the collection will go towards the charity’s annual “Home for Christmas” campaign. This year’s campaign hopes to raise funds to enable its free, 24 hour, confidential helpline 116 000 to run for the week between Christmas and New Year. You can donate to the Missing People Home for Christmas appeal at:https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/missingpeople/homeforchristmas2016
