Andrew Gosden - Missing since September 2007

[Administrator]

Making this a 'sticky' thread for today

[HFMCVolunteer]

On behalf of Andrew's family, thank you again for your continued support and interest. It means a great deal that you are helping in this way. Thank you .... (tu) :)

[ratty]

Do we know if this lad may be living under another identity, or how he may be getting by? Only ask because I work with the homeless in this area.

[HFMCVolunteer]

Andrew may well be using another name and his appearance may well have changed, such as his hair style and colour. As he was 14 years old at the time of his disappearance in September 2007 his stature and build will likely have changed.

Andrew's family have not heard from him since the day he took the train from Doncaster to London and their main concerns are for his health and safety. Just knowing these things and that he is happy would mean so much to them.

They received an unconfirmed report that he may be in the Peckham area. Any information, however small, that will answer their concerns will be much appreciated.

Thank you ...

[Ladymuck]

Just one teeny little thought has occurred to me...supposing (and please, no offence intended), but just supposing AG (assuming he is alive and well) really doesn't want his parents to know where he is etc? It happens. I mean what are his rights given that he would be 16+ now? Or is it the case that parents have an overriding right to know until such time as he reaches 18 years of age? (Genuine question - does anyone know answer?)

[HFMCVolunteer]

Andrew's family have themselves naturally considered the possibility that he may not wish them to know where is, assuming that he is OK. That is why their primary desire is to know that he safe, well and happy.

Though they would dearly like to be able to see or speak to him if they can, that is not their primary concern. Above all else, like any loving family faced with a missing child, irrespective of the child's age, they need news of Andrew, hopefully good news. Not knowing what has happened to Andrew is devastating for them.

Thank you

[legalbeagle]

Not knowing what has happened must be incredibly hard for them. I hope the small amount of publicity this forum has been able to provide will do some good.

[legalbeagle]

.

[HFMCVolunteer]

Today is Andrew's 17th birthday and a difficult day for his family. We appreciate the interest and concern you have shown for Andrew and his family.

Thank you

[brum]

What a difficult day for Andrew's family. I hope he returns home safe and well.

[cassidy]

i hope you get some news soon, not knowing why is never easy

[legalbeagle]

bump

[legalbeagle]

Was there any progress after the sightings of Andrew in SE London?

[intexasatthe moment]

I can't imagine that the young ,slim ,well spoken guy asking for money on train from Peckham Rye was Andrew - but just in case I've emailed his father .

Anyone come across the chap I saw - train to London Bridge - very well spoken ,dirty clothes ,addressing carriage in general ,not individuals ?

[HFMCVolunteer]

legalbeagle Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Was there any progress after the sightings of

> Andrew in SE London?

Sorry that I haven't come back to you sooner. As yet, we still have nothing positive to report on this but that does not mean that information received has been of no value. We hope that people will still keep their eyes open and pass on any information, large or small, that just might help find Andrew or news of him.

Thank you.

[HFMCVolunteer]

intexasatthe moment Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I can't imagine that the young ,slim ,well spoken

> guy asking for money on train from Peckham Rye was

> Andrew - but just in case I've emailed his father

> .

> Anyone come across the chap I saw - train to

> London Bridge - very well spoken ,dirty clothes

> ,addressing carriage in general ,not individuals ?

Thank you for passing on this information.

[HFMCVolunteer]

Sorry .. over active finger caused duplicated post ...

[HFMCVolunteer]

There is a small piece of information, of which some of you may have already read, that I would like to mention here. Help Find My Child (HFMC) has recently been granted charity status. This should enable us to be more effective in helping families locate their missing children or news of them.

As part of our launch we have produced a new video which briefly explains who we are, what we do and why we do it:

Help Find My Child Video

Andrew's case features in this video.

Thank you once again.

[GinaG3]

I admire anyone that does work like this. I would find it absolutely heartbreaking. I wish I could be of help with some information, will definitely keep my eye out. I can only begin to imagine the pain families feels when a loved one goes missing, let alone a child.

Very touching video by the way. Keep up the good work & well done on reaching charity status.

[prdarling]

So glad that HFMC has been granted charity status - you do an amazing job. Wish I had something positive to contribute.

I find Andrew's case terribly poignant as my baby boy was born at 11.31am on 14th September 2007, which was just about when the last sighting of Andrew was recorded.

He's often in my thoughts, please do keep us posted