Monica Lennon, Labour MSP, and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
By Bill Heaney
Labour MSP Monica Lennon raised the issue of missing persons in the Scottish Parliament today.
She told First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: “It is important that the missing and their loved ones are supported. The charity Missing People is working hard to reunite more families this Christmas.
“Will the First Minister help to get the message out that the charity’s trained helpline staff can be reached by a call or text on 116 000?
“Will the Scottish Government do everything that it can to support the charity’s mission, which is for every missing child and adult and every loved one left behind to find help, hope and a safe way to reconnect?
Ms Sturgeon said: “That is a really important issue to raise. All over Scotland and the United Kingdom right now, there will be families who are missing loved ones and worrying about their whereabouts, health and well-being.
“If you are one of those loved ones and you are able to pick up the phone to your family, that would be the most wonderful Christmas gift that you could give them.
“I agree that it is important that, as well as the work that the police do, there are services in place to support people in such horrendously distressing situations.
“I absolutely reiterate Monica Lennon’s advice that there is help available. The Missing People number, 116 000, is there should people need it.
“The Scottish Government provides some funding to the Missing People charity to increase awareness and use of its support services among people who are or who have been missing, and their families.
“That important help is there for people and I encourage anybody who is in such a difficult situation to make use of it.
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