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Co-founders Mary Asprey & Janet Newman at 17th European Women of Achievement Awards

Martha Lewis Donates Song "Minus One" From Her Latest Album "Café Aman-Double Life" (HMV) to Missing Foundation

Missing Foundation Opens Its First Charity Shop in London SW14

Mary & Janet Catch up with Big Issue's John Bird

The Work of the Charity Progresses

Janet & Mary with Presenter and Guest Speaker Angela Rippon OBE

As previous years' winners and nominees, Missing Foundation Co-founders Mary and Janet were invited to the 17th European Women of Achievement Awards held at London's Grosvenor House on Friday 6th July. Uniquely at the time they were awarded joint Women of Achievement, for their exemplary work across Europe on behalf of missing persons. They met up with many friends, past and present winners, who were delighted by news of Missing Foundation. This year they shared a table with Nominee for the Professional Award, Bernadette Doyle, of Glaxo Smith Kline, and received warm welcomes from Presenter and Guest Speaker Angela Rippon OBE, and this year's Judges' Special Award Winner, the popular Television News Presenter Moira Stuart OBE.


2007 European Women of Achievement Judges' Special Award Winner TV News Presenter Moira Stuart OBE with Mary


Janet with 2007 European Women of Achievement Professional Award Nominee. Bernadette Doyle of Glaxo Smith Kline

The awards are dedicated to women inspiring others to achieve, and Mary and Janet are proud to be listed among those. This year’s top awards went to: Jocelyn Hay CBE founder of “Voice of the Viewer and Listener”, Humanitarian Award; Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Marin Alsop for Arts and Media; Claire Thomas Glaxo Smith Kline and Laura Wade-Gery Tesco.com in the Business category; Kelly Hoppen was voted top Entrepreneur and Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Tesco plc won the Professional category.

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Celebrated singer, composer and musician Martha D. Lewis has generously donated a very special track to Missing Foundation, from her fabulous new album "Café Aman – Double Life". Martha wrote the song, "Minus One" originally for Mary and Janet when they were running the then Missing Persons Helpline, and she performed it live at The Queen Elizabeth Hall on London's South Bank. Martha recalls "When I began to write the song, my niece went missing and I was launched into a first-hand emotional relationship to the issues that face people close to those that are missing." Now she has recorded the song, Martha has donated it to Missing Foundation, with the personal message to Mary and Janet: "I wish you the best of luck. Keep up the good work – you are both an inspiration!"

Missing Foundation is extremely grateful to Martha for her ongoing and generous support of the work of the charity’s advice line, which is dedicated to helping all those suffering the trauma of having a loved one missing from their lives, and bringing about a speedier solution.

The Song "Minus One" donated to Missing Foundation is track 3 of CD:
"CAFÉ AMAN – DOUBLE LIFE"



Artist: Martha D. Lewis.
Title: "Café Aman – Double Life"
CAT NO: BUDDCD007
Can be obtained from HMV.co.uk
Hear it at: Myspace.com/marthadlewis
And if you want to know more about Martha: www.marthalewis.co.uk

What the critics say:
"Café Aman is a unique cultural crossover driven by a charismatic leader. A distinctly live wire of musical independence... a formidable voice... Café Aman is going places." - John Fordham, The Guardian.
"Held together by the passionate, almost eerie vocals of songstress Martha D. Lewis" - Evening Standard
"A rare combination of classic melody, improvised Eastern flavoured solos and bang up to date urban grooves that place it firmly in 21st century London" - Channel 4.

LAUNCH CELEBRATION PLANNED FOR AUTUMN

The official launch celebration of Missing Foundation charity is planned for this autumn, details to be finalised, and we hope to be able to announce that Martha D. Lewis will be performing the song "Minus One" live at the party.

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Maureen Hart Manageress in Missing Foundation's First Charity Shop

Maureen is a popular and already well-known manageress of charity shops in London's SW14 area of Sheen. She brings 15 years of experience to this new venture, the first MISSING FOUNDATION shop, which opened its doors this summer in Sheen Lane. Maureen stresses that "We are a traditional charity shop, earning funds for a much-needed new charity. Nothing is purchased in new – we sell donated goods only. All our shop-fittings came via donations. We do not waste funds printing expensive carrier bags. Good, clean donations gratefully received, (although we're very sorry that electrical goods are not permitted by law)." Missing Foundation is hugely grateful for Maureen's hard work and that of her faithful and fantastic team of volunteers who have flocked to join her.

The shop is open now at:



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Monday July 16th, John Bird greets Mary and Janet at the launch of his candidacy for Mayor of London campaign, held at Jongleurs, Camden Town in North London. John founded The Big Issue in 1991 as a business to give homeless people a chance to make an income by selling the now iconic magazine on the streets of major cities. At the same time Mary and Janet innovated a new charity on behalf of people left behind when someone goes missing from their lives. The Big Issue in London was the first publication to carry photos and ID's of missing persons provided by Mary and Janet's first Missing Persons charity, which sprung from their involvement with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. The close friendship, working relationship and mutual respect between John Bird, Mary Asprey and Janet Newman which was forged then, continues as strongly as ever.

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Missing Foundation's advice line continues its vital role in delivering positive assistance and a kind and listening ear to callers desperate to find out what has happened to a loved one who has gone missing, by leading them to the right organisation to take up their case. Details of calls and cases are completely confidential, and we shall not advertise personal details. The advice line is currently working on behalf of anxious relatives, friends and families, with missing adults or children from as far away as India, Scandinavia as well as in the UK. Callers are those whose loved one has disappeared, or friends phoning on their behalf, who need advice as to where to turn to in the bewildering array of organisations, charities and agencies, all providing excellent services, but in a huge variety of ways with missing persons, and related circumstances, such as Alzheimer's, alcoholism, family breakdown and so on. Missing Foundation has contacts with government agencies across the world, dealing with missing children, as well as charities in the UK who then take up the search, when the circumstances correspond to its specially targeted field. Missing Foundation's advice line is increasingly providing the vital and speedy link, often negotiating the route through for its callers and following up cases on their behalf. If you have, or know someone who has someone missing from their lives through unknown or painful circumstances, we welcome your call.
Our Advice Line is there for you on: 020 8878 2144.

More news in the Autumn.

Missing Foundation news and media contact:

Caroline Mylon – tel 07980 905 425

www.carolinemylon.co.uk

Missing Foundation photographs - Caroline Mylon

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