Community helps in search for missing Barbara Colling (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Community helps in search for missing Helmsley woman
4:34pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News
By Emily Flanagan, Reporter
A new image of Barbara Colling
A COMMUNITY has turned out in force to help search the edges of the North York Moors for a missing woman.
Barbara Colling, 68, has been missing since last Monday (January 28) when she out on a walk and was last seen at 9.30am at Abbotts Hag near Helmsley.
Today (Monday, February 4) more than 70 members of the local community, park rangers from the North York Moors National Park and members of search and rescue teams joined police in their continued hunt.
Mrs Colling, a retired teacher who lives in Helmsley, suffers from dementia.
They searched Newgate woods, Buxton woods, Birch woods and the Laskill House areas near the town, close to the spot where she was last seen.
Her son, Rob Colling, put an appeal on Facebook over the weekend, asking anyone who wanted to help with the search to gather at Helmsley police station dressed for a hike across rough countryside.
Mrs Colling’s daughter, Lizzy Firmin, said: "We would like to express our thanks to all those who are giving their own time in an effort to find our mum.
“The family all very much appreciate the support the local community have already given us.”
Inspector Andy Everitt, of Malton Safer Neighbourhood Team, also gave his thanks to the community who helped in the search: “This is a tremendous response from the local community, which is a very welcome boost to the extensive efforts we have already made. My thanks go to all who have given their time."
Inspector Everitt said people should report anything which looks out of place if in the area, such as discarded items and to check sheds and outbuildings.
Barbara is 5ft 2in tall, with blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a navy blue jacket, blue trousers, a black woollen hat with ear flaps and may have been carrying a black rucksack.
Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and speak to the Force Control Room.
