During the final days of May, 19th – 28th, Rob and Julie Stammers, along with their close family and friends, and with brilliant support from the local community, took on a Walk For challenge. The simple aims of this were to raise awareness for their missing son Anthony and also raise vital funds to support our charity.
Anthony Stammers very sadly went missing on the 27th May in 2012, at the age of just 27, in his hometown of Colchester, Essex. His family continues to miss him every day. You can access his missing poster here if you want to help in the search.
Rob and Julie, with close support from their daughter Cathy and son James, decided to challenge themselves to a ‘Walk For’ event. They decided to take on a 50k challenge! Attempting to cover 5k every day for 10 days straight – each day to signify each year Anthony has been missing, with his ‘10th missing anniversary’ this year.
“We wanted to mark this date to raise awareness in the hope that there may be a way to reach Anthony and let him know that we are still here for him when he is ready to get in touch or come home. We would love to know he is safe.”
– Julie Stammers, Anthony’s mother.
In addition to the 50k challenge, James also took on a 100k challenge from Kingston-Upon-Thames (where Anthony went to University) to Colchester to join the family on the last day of their 50k walk. The lovely people of the Colchester Park Run also agreed to join up with the family on the walk as part of the usual Saturday morning Park Run.
“Rob and I did great, it wasn’t the walking that was difficult it was the emotional drain, but we achieved our aim to raise awareness that Ant is still missing and to raise funds, we just need to reach Anthony now!”
– Julie Stammers, Anthony’s mother.
The event managed to raise an incredible £3,224, which everyone involved with the charity is so grateful for. This will make a genuine difference to so many more families and ensures we can continue to provide our vital services to those affected. Thank you.
The event helped to continue the hope for Anthony and his family, it means even after 10 years the message is still out there – his family misses him dearly and they are still here for him when he is ready to come home.
As a charity, we will continue to support families who need our help, whether that’s over the phone, email, text, or in-person; we’re here as the only UK dedicated lifeline for anyone affected by someone going missing.
Events like this help to create additional awareness in the local community and possibility further afield. If you have been directly affected by missing and would potentially be interested in arranging your own Walk For event, sign up here. We would be happy to discuss how we could support your efforts.
I want to arrange my own Walk For
We have launched a regular email so that you can be aware of new missing person appeals and share them far and wide! We are also calling on all Heroes to be the eyes and ears for Missing People on the ground. Your sighting of a missing person could make a difference in a crucial time.
