The family of a missing Doncaster teenager have thanked Doncaster Rovers for holding an awareness event at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday.
Doncaster Rovers FC teamed up with the charity Missing People to join in the search for Andrew Gosden, who went missing from his home in Doncaster in 2007 aged 14.
1,000 Rovers supporters took part in a crowd mosaic holding up posters of Andrew just before kick-off , with volunteers from the charity speaking to hundreds of fans at the game, reminding them that Andrew is still missing and asking them to help join in the search.
Kevin Gosden, Andrew’s father said: “I am would like to express our enormous gratitude for the way in which Doncaster Rovers supported us as a family and the charity Missing People at the match.
“Our son Andrew has been missing now for over five years and the fact that people continue to care sufficiently to help to raise awareness of this is something we find quite overwhelming. The crowd’s poster display in the family stand brought tears to our eyes.
“The charity Missing People has been a great support to us and we are delighted that the club have helped them to develop their profile. We hope that this may continue into the future and help other families too.”
Martin Crosby, Missing People Local Area Co-ordinator for Yorkshire, added: “We are extremely grateful to Doncaster Rovers for giving the charity this opportunity to raise awareness of Andrew disappearance and to the fans for agreeing to spread the message.
“Hundreds of fans responded and passed on their details so that we can email them a copy of Andrew’s poster to share amongst their friends and on social networks, which is fantastic.
“Families of missing people tell us that when their loved one goes missing they wish they could make the whole world stop and join the search -- Doncaster Rovers and their supporters have certainly helped join the search for Andrew.”
Missing People is an independent charity, and is currently searching for volunteers to help raise awareness of missing people in Yorkshire. The charity asks anyone interested in joining the search to visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/ or email martin.crosby@missingpeople.org.uk to become a Search Volunteer.
116 000 is the number for advice, support, help and options if you, or someone you care about goes missing. Call or text the charity Missing People on 116 000 - it’s free, 24 hour and confidential.