Kerry Needham, the mother of Ben Needham who disappeared at 21 months old on the Greek island of Kos in July 1991, has launched a government petition calling for a dedicated family support team to be funded for all missing children cases. The petition, which has been approved for public signature, aims to ensure that no family facing the disappearance of a child is left feeling alone or without adequate support.
Background of Ben Needham's Disappearance
Ben Needham vanished from a farmhouse on Kos in July 1991, sparking one of the longest missing person investigations in British history. Despite two excavations at the site where he was last seen and numerous claims of sightings, his whereabouts remain unknown. South Yorkshire Police recently informed Kerry that they will no longer investigate the case, leaving Greek police in charge. Kerry believes her son may have been taken to the USA and recently released an age-progressed image of what he might look like now.
Kerry Needham's Statement
Kerry said: “Being Ben Needham’s mum has meant carrying a pain and a heartbreak that no parent should ever have to experience. Ben disappeared in July 1991, and every single day since then I have lived with the hope of finding answers and bringing him home. Over the years, I have seen first-hand the emotional journey that families of missing children face - the fear, the uncertainty, the endless waiting, and the desperate need for someone to guide and support them through the darkest moments of their lives. That is why I am so pleased to announce that a government petition has been approved calling for funding for a dedicated family support team for all missing children cases.”
Purpose of the Petition
The petition states: “As the mother of Ben Needham, I know the pain of no answers. Families face unequal support. We call on the UK Government to fund a centralised team to ensure fair, equal help for all missing children cases, so no family fights alone. Families of missing children in the UK face an unfair and inconsistent system, where support, funding, and resources vary widely between cases. No family should have to struggle alone or feel their child matters less because of circumstance or attention. This petition calls on the UK Government to establish a fully funded, centralised team to ensure equal support, resources, and long-term assistance for all families of missing children - so that no one is left to fight for answers on their own.”
Next Steps for the Petition
If the petition receives 100,000 signatures or more, it could lead to a parliamentary debate. The Government is required to respond to all petitions that receive over 10,000 signatures. Kerry added: “I am asking people to please sign and share this petition. Together, we can help make sure no family facing the disappearance of a child is left feeling alone or without the support they desperately need.” The petition can be signed at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/770392.
