Having endured the pain of Christmas without their missing relatives, the families are hoping 2013 will bring the news they most long for

The new year brings new hope for thousands of families across Britain who are desperately wondering where their missing loved ones are.

Having endured the pain of Christmas without them, the families are hoping 2013 will bring the news they most long for.

With around 250,000 people running away or going missing every year, the charity Missing People works around the clock to give support to families and help bring those missing back home.

To try to help the cause, Mirror.co.uk has teamed up with the charity to bring you pictures of some of those whose disappearance remains a mystery.

From the age-processed images of a British woman who went missing in Germany at the age of two and would now be 31, to the photo of Steven Clarke who vanished 20 years ago while walking with his family at Marske-by-the-Sea in Cleveland, we need your help.

Jo Youle, chief executive of Missing People, said: "The new year brings fresh hope and allows most people to reflect on days gone by, but many families must continue to live in limbo, with no clear knowledge of what has happened to one of their loved ones. Missing People is open every day of the year to be there for families.

“There is pressure to start afresh and continue life as normal, even when the hope of finding their loved one is overwhelming and difficult to cope with. The variety of services provided by the charity Missing People can help families through these traumatic times, and our Helpline 116 000 can be called by families or missing people themselves, for confidential support and advice.

Jo Youle Plea: Jo Youle from Missing People wants the public to pick up the phone

“Our search for missing people has received incredible support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, many of whom play specifically to help charities like us make an impact and improve people’s lives. So far, players have raised over £1.8m for Missing People and the impact of this ongoing donation enables the charity to continue to be a lifeline when someone disappears."

- Give £3 by texting SEARCH to 70990. Donations will cost you £3 plus your usual network rate. The charity Missing People will receive at least £2.93 of this amount. This will help to provide a lifeline when someone disappears, including case publicity. Missing People may contact you in the future to update you on our work.

Source: mirror.co.uk