A TEAM OF South Yorkshire Police detectives have travelled to Greece where they will take part in a TV show, appealing to the public to bring information to them about the disappearance of British toddler Ben Needham 23 years ago.
Ben was just 21 months old when he disappeared from the coastal resort Iraklise back in 1991. At the beginning of this year, police in South Yorkshire were granted funding from the Home Office to support Greek authorities in renewed inquiries to find Ben, who would now be 25.
The programme, which is about missing people, broadcasts to around 50% of the Greek TV audience and will feature an appeal from police as well as his mother, Kerry, who has been fighting desperately for more than two decades to find out what happened to her little boy. His grandmother Christine Needham, and his sister Leighanna Needham, will also be participating.
Independent charity Crimestoppers have also confirmed they are offering a reward of up to £10,000 to anyone who supplies information which leads to the discovery of Ben Needham.
Kerry Needham said today she is hopeful that the appeal to the Greek public will lead to some useful information about what happened to Ben.
“I know that no-one can guarantee they will uncover what happened to my son, but knowing that the police are trying to find answers has lifted my strength and hope immensely. It means everything to me and I know that South Yorkshire Police are working with the Greek police and will do their best for us.
“My family and I will not rest until we uncover what happened to Ben and I believe that someone out there knows what happened to him – I would urge them to please get in touch with police.”
Detective Supterintendent Matthew Fenwick, who is leading the inquiry, said this will also be an appeal to Ben, if he is out there listening, as he would be an adult now.
We will ask anyone out there if they’ve ever had doubts about where they come from; if they look completely different to their family or perhaps there are no photographs of them as a baby.
“We will ask anyone with these doubts to come forward – we have a sample of Ben’s DNA, so we can easily determine whether someone is indeed Ben.
“The lives of Ben Needham’s family were ripped apart when he disappeared more than twenty years ago and their determination to find him has not diminished. They are more desperate than ever to find answers about what happened to him.
“It is likely that someone out there knows what happened to him and we will be appealing to anyone with information to come forward and tell us what they know.”
The show will air tomorrow night on Greek television at 9pm UK time.
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