Missing People Charity Raises £300K at London Gala

A London charity gala just raised £300,000 to help families living through the nightmare of a missing loved one. The Night of Light Gala brought together supporters of Missing People, a charity dedicated to helping those in crisis when someone disappears.

The event featured remarkable auction items that captured hearts and opened wallets. Bidders competed for custom shoes worn by Claudia Winkleman during filming of The Traitors, lunch with patron Sir Stephen Fry, and two paintings by Team GB artist Ben Mosley. One painting was created live during the event and together they raised £42,000.

The funds will support SafeCall, a new free and confidential helpline launched in January for children and young people thinking about running away. The Independent's readers helped raise over £165,000 to create this lifeline, with backing from Sir Keir Starmer, Kate McCann, Sir David Beckham, and Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen.

Catherine O'Sullivan, whose son Jack went missing in March 2024, shared her family's story at the gala. She described the unique pain of having a loved one vanish as "a living nightmare, the roller coaster from Hell that you are on and just can't get off." Unlike grief after a death, she explained, missing someone means living with fear, hope, confusion, and thousands of unanswered questions every single day.

The Ripple Effect

Missing People's support extends far beyond the initial crisis. The charity provides practical guidance, emotional support, publicity campaigns, and advocacy for families when public attention fades but their nightmare continues. SafeCall now gives vulnerable young people an immediate lifeline before they disappear, offering a chance to find safety and support at the moment they need it most.

Ross Miller, interim chief executive of Missing People, called the evening "filled with warmth, compassion, and a shared determination" to support those affected. The charity serves families sitting with the heartache of an empty chair, providing connection when isolation feels overwhelming.

More than 170,000 people are reported missing in the UK each year, with many being children and young people. Thanks to this gala and ongoing reader support, Missing People can continue answering calls, supporting searches, and offering hope when families need it most.