Family of missing Preston man collaborates with Missing People charity to mark his 5th missing Anniversary

THE mother of missing man Steven Durand is working with the charity Missing People to refresh her plea for any new information on his whereabouts, 5 years on from his disappearance. Steven, aged:- 31, at the time, was last seen by his sister on:- 19 October 2018. Steven had been staying at his sister's house in Chorley and left that morning. At 2pm, a person thought to be Steven used his bank card at a cash machine in Chorley. It is then believed by Police that Steven travelled by train from Chorley to Manchester later that afternoon. At 7am the following day, CCTV footage showed Steven at a Bargain Booze store, on Bolton Road, in Swinton. 4 hours later, at 11am, Steven was sighted at the Premier Store, on Agecroft Road, in Pendlebury. This was his last confirmed sighting.

Since 20 October, all financial activity and communication with Steven's family has ceased. His mother, Christine, is concerned as the lack of communication is out of character for Steven. At the time of his disappearance, Steven was described as mixed-race, 5ft 10in tall, with a medium to stocky build and cropped dark brown hair. Steven has mild cerebral palsy and walks with a limp due to the condition. He is also described as highly vulnerable. Since Steven's disappearance, Christine has remained heartbroken yet determined to find him, hopeful that he will be located safe and well. Christine says that she and her family feel:- "let down" by Police and mental health services.

Steven had been receiving mental health support from the age of 13. "Steven's consultant psychiatrist, who knew Steven very well, said he'd never let him go. After missing an appointment with them, Steven was discharged, and visits from his carers stopped. He went missing 2 weeks later," she added.

In light of Steven's fifth missing Anniversary, she shares this message:- "We love him very much and he's in our hearts and thoughts forever. We hope he's safe and we hope he sees this appeal."

To help the search, the public can visit Steven's appeal on the Missing People website here, from where they can report a sighting, download his missing appeal as a poster, and share it as widely as possible via Facebook, Twitter, and in public spaces.

Missing People's Publicity Officer, Ndella Senghore, said:- "If anyone has any information about Steven's disappearance, they can contact Missing People's helpline. Steven, if you are reading this, please get in touch. You can call us on:- 116000 or email:- 116000@MissingPeople.Org.UK. Our service is non-judgemental, confidential, and free thanks to support from players of People's Postcode Lottery. We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe. Our helpline is here to support people who are missing, thinking of going missing, and for loved ones who are left behind. The helpline is free and confidential and is operated by trained staff and volunteers. Sightings and information about any missing person can also be given anonymously through the Missing People website."

Stagecoach and Missing People partnership sees 100 million tickets printed to support vulnerable passengers

STAGECOACH, the UK's largest bus and coach operator, has issued over 100 million tickets in support of UK charity Missing People since December 2022 as part of their ongoing partnership.

The inclusion of Missing People's free phone number on Stagecoach tickets across the country encourages people in crisis to call the free and confidential helpline before they think of disappearing.

The preventative campaign launched December 2022 in response to first-hand accounts of Missing People's Helpline teams. These accounts recognised increased financial hardships such as unpaid debt and food insecurity were driving people to consider going missing.

With 100,000 adults and 70,000 children reported missing each year in the UK, the charity has confirmed that calls from people in crisis have increased since the campaign began.

Each ticket issued now includes the message:- "If you feel like disappearing or know someone who has gone missing, find 'Missing People' for support.  Call the free helpline on:- 116000 which is confidential and non-judgemental."

Ray O'Toole, Chief Executive for Stagecoach said:- "We at Stagecoach are proud of the continued partnership with Missing People as it provides our drivers with a vital tool to help vulnerable members of their community on our buses. Our transport network can be a pivotal point for those in crisis, so the inclusion of Missing People's helpline on our tickets is an important preventative measure for those who may need support."

Jo Youle, Chief Executive of Missing People said:- "We are particularly pleased with this important partnership and continued support from Stagecoach who are playing an instrumental role in our drive to prevent people in crisis from disappearing. The printing of helpline number on Stagecoach bus tickets is our hope that someone in crisis sees it and we can be the support they need before they leave."

Stagecoach is committed to donate 0.5% of pre-tax profits every year to charitable causes as part of its:- 'Giving for Good' community initiative. It also has national partnerships with:- Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, the Trussel Trust and Happy Days. Stagecoach assists these charities wherever possible, for example through financial donations, providing buses, and helping raise funds for each charity.

Missing People is the only UK charity dedicated to reconnecting missing people and their loved ones. They provide services which include family support, counselling, and specialist services for issues related to missing such as exploitation and County Lines.

If you have been affected, Missing People's Helpline is:- 116000, by phone or text. The free and confidential Helpline that is available from:- 9am to 11pm, 7 days a week, thanks to support from players of People's Postcode Lottery. As a charity, these vital services are made possible through the generosity of donors. If you'd like to contribute to support Missing People, please click here.