A BIG SHOUTOUT to everyone from JCDecaux UK who took part to support Missing People!

On Thursday 18 September, 46 dedicated colleagues from JCDecaux UK took on the Brecon Beacons Challenge. Battling 45mph winds and torrential rain from start to finish, conditions were treacherous to the point where waterproofs were no longer waterproof! However, they were determined to summit three peaks and despite the weather forcing to shorten their planned route, they successfully reached the top of all three:

• Cribyn – 795m
• Pen y Fan – 886m (the highest peak in South Wales)
• Corn Du – 873m

Altogether, they covered 15km, took 24,000 steps, and hiked for 4 hours through truly testing conditions.

Their incredible efforts raised over £18,000 (including Gift Aid) for Missing People, helping us continue to provide a lifeline and crucial support to those in crisis across the UK.

Dallas Wiles, JCDecaux UK Co-CEO, told us:
“Taking on the Brecon Beacons Challenge alongside my colleagues was a true test of resilience and teamwork. The conditions were some of the toughest I’ve experienced, with relentless wind and rain from start to finish, but what stood out most was the camaraderie and determination of the team. We looked out for each other every step of the way, and it was that spirit of sticking together that got us through. I’m incredibly proud of everyone who took part, not just for reaching the summits, but also for supporting such an important cause.”

Power in a Partnership

For over ten years, JCDecaux UK has stood beside Missing People as a trusted partner, using their JCDecaux Community Channel to share urgent appeals and raise awareness of our prevention campaign on digital screens across the country. Now, their colleagues have gone the extra mile—quite literally—to raise vital funds for the charity’s services.

Every 90 seconds, someone goes missing in the UK. Thanks to JCDecaux UK’s incredible fundraising efforts, we can continue to be a lifeline for people in crisis.

You can still donate by clicking the button below. Every single donation makes a difference—whether to the people who are missing, or those who miss them.

Thank you.

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With the trek taking over 11 hours, this challenge will test participants both physically and mentally – their determination to make a difference is truly inspiring. 

A partnership making an impact 

For over ten years, JCDecaux UK has stood beside Missing People as a trusted partner, using their JCDecaux Community Channel to share urgent appeals and raise awareness of our Prevention Campaign on digital screens across the UK. Now, their colleagues are going the extra mile, quite literally, to help raise vital funds for our services.  

In 2023–24 alone, digital screens generated an incredible 14 million impressions. Behind those numbers are real lives changed: 

• A 17-year-old from Derby was found in London nearly five months later, directly because of one of our appeals. 

• A woman, overwhelmed with thoughts of going missing, saw our message “If you’re thinking of going missing, get in touch” and reached out for help. 

• In March 2025, 17-year-old boy went missing from London. After three months without leads, JCDecaux’s digital screens helped to locate him. 

Stories like these show the power of this partnership, and why we are so grateful for JCDecaux UK’s continued commitment and support. 

Why fundraising matters 

Every 90 seconds, someone goes missing in the UK. With support from companies like JCDecaux UK, we can be there for the 160,000 people that go missing a year and their desperate families and friends, offering a lifeline in times of crisis. 

Every donation makes a difference: just £11 funds a call to our helpline, ensuring a vulnerable person has someone to listen and support them when they need it most. 

As the countdown begins, let’s cheer on #OneTeamJCDecauxUK every step of the way. A heartfelt thank you to each and every member of the team for taking on this incredible challenge. 

Together, we can change lives. 

Missing People would also like to take this opportunity to thank JCDecaux UK’s CEO, Dallas Wiles, who has been a long-standing champion of the charity. In April 2026, Dallas will be taking on the London Marathon in support of Missing People.  

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On Saturday 21st September 2024, Missing People staff and supporters took on the Walk in Solidarity. This was a 10k walk around Richmond Park and ended at our Memory Tree in Palewell Park where we held Missing People’s annual Together to Remember event.

At the Together to Remember event we read out messages to missing loved ones and tied messages to the Memory Tree.

Watch the Together to Remember event

You can watch the recording of the Together to Remember event here.

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Our Individual Giving team has come together to give their advice for fundraising during the cost of living crisis to fundraisers who aren’t sure how to ask for donations during this difficult time.

At the moment, the UK is facing a cost of living crisis where many people are facing difficulty paying for food, their energy bills and more. With donations needed now more than ever, we wanted to share our advice to fundraisers who are helping us fund our services.

Our Advice

Tip 1 : The need for our services is rising

Everything is rising, including the risk of people going missing, being homeless and taking their own life. We have already seen a significant increase in calls to our Helpline because people are struggling to cope. They can’t afford their bills and want to escape. The people that needed us in the first place, now need us more than ever. The cost of living crisis has meant their situation has worsened.

Tip 2 : It feels good to do good

By giving a donation, you are transforming someone’s life. We can help those in need because of your generosity. So remind your friends and family of that warm feeling you get when you help make a difference because their donation is life saving.

Tip 3: People want to help

It is a natural desire to help people who are in need. When a group of people are struggling more than me and you, if we have the means it is natural to want to help them in any way we can. By donating to your fundraiser, our Helpline can be there to listen to someone who wants to run away and provide them with the support and advice they need.

Tip 4: Share your story

Explain why you have chosen to raise money for Missing People in your page’s description. Your story is your most powerful tool when it comes to fundraising and that will help you raise money for our cause.

Tip 5: What would happen if they didn’t donate?

It is important to explain what will happen if people do not donate to your fundraiser. Right now, 100 contacts to our Helpline a month go unanswered. That’s 100 lives we need to save but we can’t do it without the generosity of others. We simply cannot afford to answer every single call right now. But we will not stop until every missing person is found safe and supported so with your help, we can answer those unanswered calls.

Fundraising Ideas

We are so grateful that you have chosen to fundraise for Missing People. To inspire you for your next fundraising event, have a look at some of our ideas here.

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There are a variety of challenge events, but which one is right for you?

Find out about the inspiration and fulfilment that only a challenge event can provide.

They can be such a mixture of things… emotional, tough, motivating, challenging, exciting, tiring – some people experience all of this on the same weekend.

Some people take them on as a challenge for themselves, others want to create awareness for our cause, and many want to continue that sense of hope for their family having been affected by missing.

Over the course of the past 12 months, we’ve heard some amazing stories along the way. We’re hoping after you read this you might be inspired to support our charity in creating some more.

Over the past few years Missing People has tried to create calendar of events that are accessible to all, whether that be location, distance or time of year, and we have a few a key races in the programme that prove to be really popular, and we hope this encourages others to get involved.

London Marathon – April

First up in the year come’s London Marathon, one of the World Marathon Majors and the most popular in the world in terms of interest and fundraising for charities. There is nothing quite like it, and the feedback we receive is always amazement at the atmosphere and support, both from the crowds and charity cheer points.

Have the chance to join our exclusive WhatsApp in the build up to the weekend to enjoy some brilliant camaraderie and motivation, with lots of high-fives at Mile 16 and a post-event reception.

Satvir Sembhi took on the challenge in 2022, although not being a runner she wanted take on this difficult challenge for her brother Sanjiv who went missing in 2013, and was doing this for his 50^th birthday.

Read the inspiring story about Satvir’s race

Missing Appeal – help find Sanjiv

Hackney Half Marathon – May

A weekend of active festivities in East London, hosting the hugely popular Hackney Half. Enjoy the vibrate atmosphere, with entertainment and crowds all along the route, whilst set in the parkland of Hackney Marshes.

Victoria Phillips took on this distance despite her mobility issues. She was an inspiration to both her family who all came to support and her fellow runners. They formed a great camaraderie in our WhatsApp group in the months building up to the race.

Read Victoria’s brilliant story

Victoria (centre) with a couple of our other runners before the race started

Great North Run – September

The best and most popular half-marathon in the world, what’s not to like?! Enjoy a variety of distance, huge crowds and a glorious welcome from the North East. Attracting close to 60,000 runners, Great North Run allows you to soak up the delights of the Red Arrows and the crossing of the Tyne Bridge, whilst the TV cameras follow everyone around the famous course. A fantastic weekend where we always looking for more people to join the team.

“The support from Missing People throughout and also being on the course in those painful last couple of miles everyone a big boost I’m sure.”

Andy, a participant in the 2022 race

Katie took on the famous half marathon to help us support more families affected by missing

Royal Parks Half Marathon – October

Often called the ‘most beautiful half marathon’ in Britain. A stunning race around central London, taking in four Royal Parks in autumn and some of the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads. A brilliant way to take on the popular 13.1 mile distance, with a fast and flat course, huge crowds, and a food festival to finish – providing a great chance to refuel and also meet with family, friends and charities.

“It’s a rollercoaster of emotions when a loved one goes missing.  Knowing I had support from the charity made the days and months bearable and allowed me to have a focus and positivity in extremely challenging circumstances.”

Helen, who ran Royal Parks for Missing People

Bek Stratfield (centre) took on the Royal Parks with her best friends, for her son who has very sadly been missing since 2017.

Help find Finn-Layland Stratfield

Other events

If none of the above take your fancy then there are plenty of other options, including the coastal half in Bournemouth with long stretches of seas views, or the historic city of Oxford and take in the world-famous universities, museums and parks. One of the most popular shorter distances is in the glorious Scottish city, with the Edinburgh 10k and enjoy the whole running festival. Why not jump out of your comfort zone and travel abroad for 2 of the leading marathons in Europe, in Barcelona and Amsterdam – then make a weekend of it, with family or friends. Finally, if you are looking for something closer to home we have that covered too.

• Take a look at our Challenge Events programme for 2023
• Be a lifeline to someone in crisis and pledge whatever you can

Got a Question?

Our team would be more than happy to help.

The post Challenge Events appeared first on Missing People.

On Wednesday 7 September, 87 riders donned their finest lycra and braved the Pedal Taiwan 8 Hour Cycle Challenge at the iconic Brands Hatch racetrack. All in aid of Missing People.

The cycling challenge sat within a 12-Hour Cyclothon hosted by rugby legend, Victor Ubogu, and his events company, VU Limited. A total of 22 teams of 3 or 4 riders relayed for 8 hours, testing their strength and endurance, and racing to complete the most laps and raise the most money.

The CyCILists team (CIL Management Consultants) raced into first place with 69 laps, closely followed by the Leonardos (Gravis Capital Management Limited) with 68 laps, and in third place, the Flutter Aces on 64 laps (Flutter Entertainment plc).

The day concluded with the riders enjoying a well-deserved dinner, taking part in a silent auction to raise even more funds and taking to the podium to celebrate their cycling prowess.

Thank you

Not only did our teams conquer the cycle challenge, but they also raised incredible funds for the charity, reaching a fantastic total of £41,248!

Thanks to our riders donating through JustGiving, and generous contributions and matched funding from Liquidnet, LexisNexis, SEIB, and Flutter.

A special thank you must go to our very own Luminary, Phil Hodkinson, who gifted us the team places and made it possible for us to raise so much!

“We cannot thank everyone enough for taking on this epic challenge and for raising so much money to enable us to continue offering a lifeline to so many.” – Our CEO, Jo Youle OBE, speaking at the event

Well done to all those who took part, and we hope to see everyone again next year!

The post Pedal Taiwan 8 Hour Cycle Challenge in aid of Missing People appeared first on Missing People.

During the final days of May, 19^th – 28^th, Rob and Julie Stammers, along with their close family and friends, and with brilliant support from the local community, took on a Walk For challenge. The simple aims of this were to raise awareness for their missing son Anthony and also raise vital funds to support our charity.

Anthony Stammers very sadly went missing on the 27^th May in 2012, at the age of just 27, in his hometown of Colchester, Essex. His family continues to miss him every day. You can access his missing poster here if you want to help in the search.

The First Walk For

Rob and Julie, with close support from their daughter Cathy and son James, decided to challenge themselves to a ‘Walk For’ event. They decided to take on a 50k challenge! Attempting to cover 5k every day for 10 days straight – each day to signify each year Anthony has been missing, with his ‘10^th missing anniversary’ this year.

“We wanted to mark this date to raise awareness in the hope that there may be a way to reach Anthony and let him know that we are still here for him when he is ready to get in touch or come home. We would love to know he is safe.”

– Julie Stammers, Anthony’s mother.

The Second Walk For

In addition to the 50k challenge, James also took on a 100k challenge from Kingston-Upon-Thames (where Anthony went to University) to Colchester to join the family on the last day of their 50k walk. The lovely people of the Colchester Park Run also agreed to join up with the family on the walk as part of the usual Saturday morning Park Run.

“Rob and I did great, it wasn’t the walking that was difficult it was the emotional drain, but we achieved our aim to raise awareness that Ant is still missing and to raise funds, we just need to reach Anthony now!” 

– Julie Stammers, Anthony’s mother.

Raising Awareness and Funds

The event managed to raise an incredible £3,224, which everyone involved with the charity is so grateful for. This will make a genuine difference to so many more families and ensures we can continue to provide our vital services to those affected. Thank you.

The event helped to continue the hope for Anthony and his family, it means even after 10 years the message is still out there – his family misses him dearly and they are still here for him when he is ready to come home.

As a charity, we will continue to support families who need our help, whether that’s over the phone, email, text, or in-person; we’re here as the only UK dedicated lifeline for anyone affected by someone going missing.

Events like this help to create additional awareness in the local community and possibility further afield. If you have been directly affected by missing and would potentially be interested in arranging your own Walk For event, sign up here. We would be happy to discuss how we could support your efforts.

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