An item on the ITV1 ‘Lorraine’ programme this morning caused a sharp intake of breath amongst some of us. Ben Needham will be 21 years old tomorrow! The programme item, entitled The search for Ben Needham reminded us about the little 21 month old child who disappeared on the island of Kos in 1991. His disappearance sparked a huge but ultimately unsuccessful police hunt. His mother faced hostility from the local people and police who accused her of being a negligent parent.
Ben had been taken to Iraklise so that he could spend time with his maternal grandparents, Eddie and Christine Needham. When he went missing on 24 July 1991, Kerry was planning to move to Kos permanently and had even secured herself a local, part-time job. On the day of his disappearance, Ben had been left in the care of his grandparents while his mother went to work at a local hotel. He had been playing near the doorway of the family's farmhouse home whilst the adults were having lunch. His grandmother is reported to have taken her eyes off him for just a few minutes when it was discovered he was gone. This was sometime around 2.30pm in the afternoon.
It is the belief of the Needham family that Ben was kidnapped with the intention of either being sold for adoption or taken by child traffickers. However, there is no evidence to support this theory and some observers consider an accident to be a legitimate alternative scenario.
Kerry Needham-Grist, his mother, has never given up hope, nor the search for her son. Ben has a younger sister, Leighanna, whom he has never even met. In October 2007, Kerry was reported to say: “All I want is to see Ben again so that he knows the truth. I want him to know that I am his mother and he wasn't abandoned or anything like that."
Kerry Needham-Grist, his mother, has never given up hope, nor the search for her son. Ben has a younger sister, Leighanna, whom he has never even met. In October 2007, Kerry was reported to say: “All I want is to see Ben again so that he knows the truth. I want him to know that I am his mother and he wasn't abandoned or anything like that."
Currently, Kerry is writing a letter to David Cameron to beg him to let Ben's case be looked at by British police as she feels Greek police have abandoned the search for her son. Although South Yorkshire police have been helpful, she has been told that she can only have a liaison officer. Kerry feels very strongly that because UK officers flew out to investigate Madeleine McCann's disappearance that Ben has been treated differently.
As this is Ben’s 21st birthday article, it isn’t appropriate to discuss the speculation and suspicion surrounding his disappearance. It is a time to remember him and hold him in our hearts. This is a child who disappeared – without answers. That is enough for today.
Kerry, his mum, intends to mark Ben's 21st birthday with a gathering of close relatives at the family home in Sheffield.
Happy 21st birthday Ben – from all at the Find Madeleine Forum.
ITV1, the ‘Lorraine’ programme (presented by Kate Garraway), 28th October 2010 : http://www.itv.com/lorraine/joinintheconversation/kerryneedham/
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