Missing People is the only UK charity dedicated to helping people affected by a disappearance. Based in East Sheen, the charity run a free, 27/7 and confidential helpline to help the 180,000 people reported missing each year and the families left behind.

The charity was set up in response to the disappearance of local estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, in 1986. Sisters Mary Asprey OBE and Janet Newman OBE set up a free helpline from their spare bedroom hoping to find information about her whereabouts. They were overwhelmed by the number of people getting in touch about their missing loved ones. In 1993, having re-mortgaged their houses to do so, Mary and Janet registered National Missing Person’s Helpline as a charity, which later became Missing People.

26 years on the team of 90 staff and 100 volunteers offer round the clock practical and emotional support, secure vital publicity which could lead to a sighting, conduct research and campaign on the issue of ‘missing’ to support the charity’s vision that every missing person is found safe.