The Runaway Schoolgirl (20 page)

Support and advice

Barnardo’s:
www.barnardos.org.uk

Catch22:
www.catch-22.org.uk

Enough Abuse:
www.enoughabuseuk.com

NSPCC:
www.nspcc.org.uk

SEE Changes:
www.seechanges.org

The WISE project:
www.sussexcentralymca.org.uk/information_advice_support/_wise_project

M
y family and I have received incredible support throughout this nightmare. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people:

To Sussex Police and all those involved in Operation Oakwood, who worked so tirelessly to find my daughter and ensure her safe return: I know this case affected you deeply and impacted your lives in some way or another, and I would like to thank you all for the compassion you showed us. We were overwhelmed by your dedication, determination and care, and will always be grateful for what you did for us.

To DCI Mark Ling and DI Neil Ralph: I will always struggle to find the words to describe exactly what you did for my family and me. Nobody will ever know how committed you were. I know it took up every moment of every day and even impacted your own personal lives – not to mention the added
pressure of the international media watching you. You put your heart and soul into bringing my daughter back safe, and I feel extremely proud. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To DCI Jason Tingley and DI Andy Harbour: ‘Thank you’ doesn’t even begin to describe how much your help throughout this ordeal has meant to us. From appearing on national television for the first time to learning a whole new set of laws and language! Please accept this acknowledgement as some way to express how thankful we will always be for the care you have both shown us.

To DC Hannah Elmer and DC Jim Parkinson: You are the best family liaison officers we could ever have asked for.

I would also like to acknowledge the following Sussex Police officers: DI Colin Dowle, Owain Gower, DC Paul Semple, DC Darren Jones, DS Claire Gill, DC Graham Pawson and Nick Cloke. Although you were working endlessly behind the scenes, I hope you realise that I was aware of your commitment.

To Gatwick Police: Thank you for the hospitality and sensitivity you showed us.

To the services who supported and advised Sussex Police – Interpol, the Serious Organised Crime Unit, MI5, the Home Office and the French police force – I will always be indebted to you for the part you played in securing the safe return of my daughter.

To senior crown prosecutor Simon Ringrose: Thank you for your constant efforts to keep my daughter and family protected and to ensure that we reached the verdict we achieved.

To Richard Barton, QC: You were outstanding!

To Lewes Crown Court Witness Services: Thank you for all the support you gave to my daughter and me. You made an extremely difficult situation bearable.

To Alison Cummings: Without your quick thinking, and acting on your findings, I may not have my daughter back with me today. I will never be able to repay you, but I would like you to know how grateful I will always be.

To Sarah Spain, Lewes practice manager, child services: I know you will never accept an acknowledgement when I start reeling off the list of things you have done for my family and me, as you have always said ‘it’s all part of the service’. What you fail to see is the impact you have made; I dread to think where we would be if we didn’t have you. From the endless advice, arranging additional support, putting up with me on good and bad days, and everything in between, thank you, Sarah. You have been amazing and I cannot thank you enough.

To Matt Dunkley, former director of child services East Sussex: Thank you for the instant understanding of what we were going through and your willingness to do whatever you could for us.

To Douglas Sinclair, head of child safeguarding East Sussex: Thank you for going over and above to understand the complex issues in unknown territory, and in turn explaining them to me. Thank you, too, for your honesty and for standing by my side to make sure that I was updated, aware of everything and had a voice that was listened to.

To Iain Luxford, head of media relations East Sussex: Thank you for your invaluable advice.

To Lucy Wooler of Eastbourne Borough Council and John Scrace of Wealden Council: Thank you for being sympathetic and considerate to our needs to start again.

To Gavin Meadows: Thank you for accepting HR as your new best friends, which allowed me to be where I needed to
be. Your sensitivity, care, understanding and friendship will always mean so much – thanks, boss!

To Sue Marsh and the team at FLESS, Sue Dench, Lilly’s nursery and Alfie’s school: Thank you for restoring my faith in the education system and reassuring me that my children are receiving the best care and education.

To Steven Maryan: Thank you for managing the worldwide social media, working alongside the police and creating the only site we endorsed. You are a true professional and friend.

To the British media and all those who supported us via social media: Thank you for your continuous coverage and for keeping the story alive for Gemma to be found.

To the Sky Broadcasting Executive Team: Thank you for providing first-class customer service.

To Nicole Carmichael and Jonathan Bowman, without whom this book wouldn’t have been possible: Thank you for your guidance and understanding of why this book is so important to me. I know it has taken up far more of your time than you ever expected, but the end result is very special. Thank you. x x x

To all my family and friends: I am so proud of your courage and the integrity you have shown, despite how tough the situation became. I would never have got through this without you all. You mean everything to me. I love you all! x x x