Joan Lawrence is wishing for good news about her missing daughter, Claudia (From York Press)

Joan Lawrence is wishing for good news about her missing daughter, Claudia

8:13am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

FINDING Claudia Lawrence alive would be the greatest Christmas present of all for her family, who are preparing for their first festive season without her. Claudia’s mother, Joan, father Peter and sister Ali say their only wish is for a phone call saying she is safe and well.

Mrs Lawrence, 66, who lives in Norton, said she was dreading her first Christmas without her daughter.

“I miss Claudia so much. I miss her phone calls and her smile and her sense of humour.

“I shall be spending Christmas with my eldest daughter, son-in-law and beautiful grandchildren. Claudia loved her nephews very much and is so proud of them.”

Mrs Lawrence, who is divorced from Claudia’s father Peter, said she had been buoyed by many letters and cards from well-wishers.

“All I wish for is a call to say Claudia is alive and safe somewhere,” she said.

Claudia, who lived in Heworth Road, York, has not been seen since March 18.

Her 38-year-old sister, Ali Sims, urged anyone with information about her whereabouts to ease the family’s “unending pain”.

“Please, whoever is involved, give us the gift of peace this Christmas and let us know where she is.”

Ali, who lives in the Peak District, said she and her husband Danny would celebrate Christmas for their sons Luke, five, and Joshua, 16 months, but would have a “moment of reflection” once the boys were in bed.

“Part of me hopes nothing happens over Christmas; I just don’t know how we’d all cope if it did.

“But that’s only for bad news. It would be the greatest gift if she was found safe and well.”

Peter Lawrence also spoke of his dread at the first Christmas without his missing daughter.

“We have had Claudia at home with us at Christmas for 35 years. I just can’t bear to think of her not being here.”

Mr Lawrence, 63, feels someone is holding a vital clue that could help police find her.

“I am convinced she is out there somewhere and one day someone will come forward with that important piece of information which will fit all the bits into the jigsaw.”

Mr Lawrence, who lives in Slingsby, said Claudia had often worked over Christmas so she could enjoy the New Year celebrations, but would always spend part of the festive season with her family.

Mr Lawrence has conducted a campaign to find Claudia over the past nine months with the help of his friend of 25 years, Martin Dales.

• Print
• Email
• Share