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IMPORTANT! Please read. Missing Gransnet member in France

(412 Posts)
whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 10:28:11

Carol Sheridan, who we all know well as Greatnan, has gone missing in the French Alps, probably whilst out on one of her frequent mountain walks.

Carol lives in Habere Poche, in the Haute Savoie departemente about 20 miles from Lake Geneva. She is mad keen on hiking alone in the mountains, and will often take off in her car to find a remote mountain pass where she can walk and enjoy the amazing scenery.

On Saturday last, she was seen driving out of her car park by a neighbour, and she has not been sighted since. Police have made enquiries and advised she can be listed as a missing person this morning. Interpol, Wellington, New Zealand police and the French gendarmerie will cooperate in attempts to find Carol. (Her daughter lives in New Zealand)

Her daughter, Fiona Conyers, is coordinating a poster campaign, and local radio stations, the Mairie, people in the village, Commonwealth Office, British Embassy and several others have been notified. GNHQ have a copy of the poster and will try to assist.

Carol's mobile phone was active whilst she was missing, but is now showing 'call failed.' However, signals from it when it was active may help the search.
She drives a black Fiat Panda 4x4 reg: AZ 522 AP. she could be parked on a mountain pass, waiting for help to arrive if she has broken down. The walks she goes on are in very remote areas, but she does occasionally see other walkers and cyclists.

A group of Gransnetters has been busy over the last 36 hours, sharing information and supporting the family. A couple of fluent French speakers have emailed local radio stations, offered to speak to police and to give help with translations of information.

We are aware there are quite a few Gransnetters living in France and the Swiss borders. If you know of any walkers who will be in the French Alps today, please share this with them.

Finally, would you please avoid sending private pm message with your good wishes, as answering them will distract the involved Gransnet members from liaising and offering support to Carol's worried family. I know you lovely Gransnetters will understand, and we'll keep updating as we know more throughout the day.

Many thanks.

Psammy Thu 31-Oct-13 09:57:53

Yes, I can do that right now.

annodomini Thu 31-Oct-13 09:56:16

It's been suggested that there must be members of Mumsnet who are working in broadcasting and/or other media. Also Public Relations. Could someone who is also a member of Mumsnet start a thread asking about this? Please.

Psammy Thu 31-Oct-13 09:55:42

Sorry, I'm from mumsnet.

I understand here is the place to put ideas about how to help and I wanted to run this past you before posting there...

As I understanad it, media coverage is a bit lacking. The bbc website has this page, which if you scroll down, you can use to submit possible stories of interest.

I wondered if it would help if lots of people would use that form at the bottom, all with the same subject heading, brief description and link to this or the mumsnet thread. Maybe if it were done en masse, they would pay more attention?

Obviously I know that raising local awareness is the priority, but do you think that a possible bbc news article might help at all?

Icyalittle Thu 31-Oct-13 09:53:19

Just tried the French Hiking Fed number, but all I am getting us their answerphone at the moment. I will keep trying.

janthea Thu 31-Oct-13 09:33:17

Greatgrandaughter. We are alll thinking about you and your family during this dreadful time. Fingers crossed everything turns out ok.

whenim64 Thu 31-Oct-13 09:29:21

Copied and shared this info Greatgranddaughter. A few fluent French speakers around who might be able to help.

Please shout up, anyone who phones them from here.

GreatGranddaughter Thu 31-Oct-13 09:19:18

This is the link to departmental branch of the French Hiking Federation that is responsible for maintaining tracks & walkways in the Haute-Savoie region: http://haute-savoie.ffrandonnee.fr/1268/html/comite-departemental-de-la-haute-savoie.aspx

I am going to email now and ask for any assistance in putting together a search party, or at the very least to remain vigilant for her and her car. As I have mentioned I am not very good at understanding French, particularly over the phone, however email is very slow. If any French speakers could call the association directly I would be extremely grateful. The contact number is 04 50 51 39 26

baubles Thu 31-Oct-13 09:18:40

X posts glass

baubles Thu 31-Oct-13 09:18:17

Not sure how to link it LaraG but the page is called 'Carol Sheridan is missing'

glassortwo Thu 31-Oct-13 09:15:21

Here is a link lara

https://www.facebook.com/carolsheridanmissing?fref=ts

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Thu 31-Oct-13 09:12:56

Does anybody have a link to the Facebook page that's been set up?

glassortwo Thu 31-Oct-13 09:04:28

This post has been made on Mumsnet when anno dont know if you want to act on it maybe a good idea.

*Reprint 08.58
Has anyone with close connections to "Greatnan" thought about opening a thread pitched at MN'ers working in TV broadcasting?

I think there are more than a few here, and the right Chat thread title might alert them to possibly running the story given connections to the UK.

I would do it, but think it should be the province of someone who can connect any useful response to the right people*

whenim64 Thu 31-Oct-13 08:56:41

Morning, everyone. Granny23 helpfully started the 'Greatnan Missing' thread so we could share concerns, support each other and express how we're feeling, in order that we can leave this thread clear for updates and anything that will help Lara and her family move things along in the search for Carol.

Could you go back to that arrangement, please, so we can quickly scan this thread for ideas and suggestions, respond to questions and provide links to other significant organisations and individuals involved in trying to locate Carol and her car? Many thanks.

Minty Thu 31-Oct-13 08:50:06

Lara, thinking of you all.

GreatGranddaughter Thu 31-Oct-13 08:48:57

All efforts on Twitter and Facebook have been amazing - well done Gransnetters!
Anyone interested in contacting local media I urge you to do so as they are more likely to run a story that already has a lot of interest.
Myself and several friends have emailed France 3 at [email protected] as they have run similar stories in the past within the same area. I would also urge you to stress the importance of finding this car - it will give a starting point at the very least and encourage the police to launch a search from there.

PS just emailed our contact within the Missing Abroad charity who has contacted the local police directly today - will post any news as soon as we get it

whenim64 Thu 31-Oct-13 08:46:33

Hi again, Lara/Greatgranddaughter! A few of us are hopping from Facebook to Mumsnet to Gransnet and trying to keep the threads updated. So much constructive activity and as offers of support come in on different social networking sites, we act on them by giving back information, explaining and answering questions, suggesting who they can contact, linking them to each other or to the places where more information can be tied in, and generally helping to keep the momentum going.

Keep up the great work. Hopefully we will have positive news today.

Galen Thu 31-Oct-13 08:40:25

Lara. My thoughts are very much with you and the family. We all know and love Carol. If positive thoughts worked, she would be quickly found.

glassortwo Thu 31-Oct-13 08:39:54

I have just tweeted the missing poster to BBC and Telegraph.

Iam64 Thu 31-Oct-13 08:25:14

Lara, I'm just catching up with the thread, and though I'm so sad there is no news of your nan's whereabouts, it's good to see you appear on this thread. Sending love and positive thought to you and your family that Carol is found safe and well soon x

janeainsworth Thu 31-Oct-13 08:13:20

Shared the photo of Carol's car on Facebook.
Lara, hoping and praying for Carol's safe return.

thatbags Thu 31-Oct-13 08:04:45

Have tweeted your poster @embraceage, Lara.

Twitterati, please spread it around.

glammanana Thu 31-Oct-13 07:58:54

Lara sending you & your family heartfelt thoughts at this very sressful time and hoping we have some positive news to-day of this lovely lady.flowers

Mamie Thu 31-Oct-13 07:50:36

www.services.completefrance.com
www.france-forum-frenchentree.com
angloinfo france haute savoie

On all these. The last is not a live link though.

moomin Thu 31-Oct-13 07:49:05

Lara this must be the most unbelievably stressful time for you and Carol's family. Rest assured that her Gransnet friends are coming up with many ideas and are thinking of you all. Your Nan has many many good friends here.

Here's hoping today can bring some positive news flowers

liminetta Thu 31-Oct-13 07:35:50

I don't often have the time to post on Gransnet,so when I saw this I was shocked. I send my regards and sympathy to her family who must be worried sick.I will keep posted as much as I can to hope that she will be o.k. Much love to all her family.