As I’m preparing to enjoy a few days when I’ll be seeing all of my family, I’m mindful of the fact that there are those who can’t do that again this year. Andrew Gosden still has not been heard from, for more than three years now. But he is, sadly, only one of many children and young people missing from their homes.

The Help Find My Child charity website has been running a Countdown to Christmas campaign for the last twelve days. Each day they have focussed on one of twelve missing children from the UK, each having one of the 12 days of Christmas dedicated solely to them and their story.

Today, they are focussing on Andrew Gosden, who has been at the top of the sidebar on this blog for quite a long time now. I only came across the campaign in the last couple of days, so I thought I would dedicate this Christmas Eve post to all twelve of these children and young people.

The images below are of the twelve children they have focussed on this year — there are many more — and each image links to that child’s page on the website. Do please have a look at their pages, you just might have seen one of them.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families, and the children, at this time. And hopes that, wherever they are, they’re safe, and the news will soon be better for all of them.

Today (14th September) marks the third anniversary of the day teenager Andrew Gosden disappeared from home. He was 14 at the time, but will be 17 now. On that day, three years ago, Andrew took a small number of belongings and boarded a train from his home in Doncaster to Kings Cross, where he was last seen.

There were no arguments before he left and his family are completely ‘baffled’ as to why he disappeared.

I can’t even begin to imagine how the last three years must have been for Andrew’s family. Kevin, his father says, “You can’t resolve anything in your own head because you just don’t know anything, whether he is alive or dead. You’re just in this awful, unbearable limbo and you just don’t know remotely how to deal with it.”

“A part of you keeps some hope and a part semi-grieves. The over-ruling feeling is still one of complete bafflement as to what on earth made him walk out the door that day. Nothing that we knew about him would suggest that he would be uncaring enough not to contact us, to leave us in pain. He wasn’t like that, that is what makes us worry.”

And I certainly can’t begin to imagine what the last three years have been like for Andrew. All I can do is hope and pray that, wherever he is, he is safe; and that one day he may be able to return home.

My thoughts and prayers continue with all of the Gosden family, and especially on this anniversary day.

For more information, please see, Andrew’s Facebook Group; the Missing People website; and the Help Find My Child website.

As I’m preparing to enjoy a couple of great days with my family around me, I’m mindful of the fact that there are those who can’t do that again this year. Andrew Gosden still has not been heard from, for more than two years now. But he is, sadly, only one of many children and young people missing from their homes.

The video below is for the Help Find My Child charity. Let’s all help support, however we’re able, those who will struggle this festive period with the pain of their child missing and the ongoing search to find them. Lets hope this coming year brings them the news they so desperately need.

And this second one is from the group, Forever Searching.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families, and the children, at this time. And hopes that the news will soon be better for all of them.

Still Searching for Andrew

It is now two years since Andrew Gosden left his home in Doncaster (September 14th 2007) and never returned. Andrew’s family have never stopped searching for him in those two years. But, despite all efforts, he’s still missing, and his reasons for leaving remain a mystery.

I first posted about Andrew earlier this year, and there has been something prominently displayed at the top of the sidebar since. But it feels so inadequate in the face of that family’s pain. My prayers continue for Andrew and his family.

Below is the text of a letter to Andrew from his family; I hope and pray that he gets to read it, and is able to respond in some way:

Dear Andrew …..

We have all missed you so much since the day you left. Not a day goes by that you are not in our minds constantly. You were always so witty, polite, caring and intelligent that we desperately miss your company. The same is true of all your friends and the thousands of people who have prayed for you and helped us search for you.

If you should ever read this, forget about any water under the bridge and please have no fear about making contact with us. We do not care where you have been or what lifestyle you choose for yourself. We only want to know that you are safe and well and to help and support you if we can.

We remain as proud of you as we have always been and love you deeply, All our love, Dad, Mum & Charlie xxx

The pictures in this post are all of Andrew: the top one, how he looked when he disappeared, aged 14; the other two how he may possibly look now, two years on, aged 16. The age-progression ones are, of course, best guess; but they were done for the family by professionals working on the Sky TV programme, Missing Children.

Please leave a comment if you are able to help in any way; or if you could add something to your blog or website. I will ensure that all details are passed on to Kevin Gosden, Andrew’s father, and a fellow Licensed Lay Minister (Reader).

For more information, please see, Andrew’s Facebook Group; the Missing People website; and the Help Find My Child website.

And, do please, keep Andrew and his family in your prayers.

Have you seen Andrew?

Andrew has been missing from Doncaster, South Yorkshire since 14 September 2007 — nearly 18 months. Andrew was seen on CCTV cameras coming through King’s Cross station in London on that day.

As you can imagine, Andrew’s family are extremely worried and there is concern for his welfare due to to his age. He can call the Runaway Helpline on Freefone 0808 800 7070 for confidential advice and support.

Please leave a comment if you are able to help in any way; or if you could add something to your blog or website. I will ensure that all details are passed on to Kevin Gosden, Andrew’s father, and a fellow Licensed Lay Minister (Reader).

Please keep Andrew and his family in your prayers.