Kate McCann and Coral Jones receive award for dedication to missing kids

Kate McCann and Coral Jones receive award for dedication to missing kids
Tragic mothers honoured for volunteering time to missing children and their families

Tragic mothers Kate McCann and Coral Jones have been given an award for putting aside their own agony to help other families with missing children.

The two mums were stunned to receive the Stephen Wynard Award from the Charity Missing People at a gala event attended by Bob Geldof at London's BT Tower this week.

The award recognises people who, “despite having been affected themselves, volunteer their time for free to make a difference for all missing children and their families."

Both Kate and Coral have been supporting the charity's Child Rescue Alert campaign, which is aimed at getting as many people as possible to register to receive free text alerts when a child goes missing and is believed to be in imminent danger.

Since Kate launched the campaign in The Sun, over 35,000 people have signed up to the system, bringing the total number in the UK to over 350,000.

Receiving her award Kate, 47, from Rothley, Leicestershire, said: "Child Rescue Alert is all about encouraging communities to recognise the power they have to help others right on their doorsteps.

“It’s heartening that so many communities of neighbours, schools and colleagues have registered for this system.

“Child Rescue Alert relies on its ability to reach a vast number of people, so we need to spread the word further and get more people signed up. This is where everyone can help."

Coral, 44, whose daughter April, 5, was abducted and murdered in October 2012, was overwhelmed by the award, saying: “I’m pleased to have received this award tonight. I want to do as much as I can to make sure no family experiences the pain we still go through.

“I’ve worked hard to try and make sure that if the worst happens, other families and other children will have the chance that April didn’t have."

Bob Geldof is co-founder of Groupcall, which provides the technology behind Child Rescue Alert.

Sir Bob urged Sun readers to sign up to receive the alerts, saying: “It’s a no-brainer. If your child went missing and their life was in immediate danger, you would want to get the message out in minutes. If you care about children’s safety, please sign up today."

To register text HERO and your postcode to 85080.

Registration costs a standard network text message rate. Once registered, it is then free to receive Child Rescue Alerts.