Ellee Seymour

David and I are off to Leicester University today and I am very much enjoying venturing into this totally unknown territory and trawling the campuses. I  missed out on university as I was fortunate to have a job offered on a local rag as a cub reporter straight from school. That doesn’t happen much these days. Looking back, I wish I had gone.

Thanks to everyone for the really helpful comments following our recent visit to Nottingham University, I shall bear them all in mind.

Leicester University certainly seems keen and I have had half a dozen texts and emails reminding us about the open day, as well as a fast track number for registration. I have been told there is a waiting list for places if we can’t make it today.

Something interesting I was told last week was that if two students with exactly the same results applied for one available place, and one student came from a good school and the other from a poor school, it would be offered to a pupil from the poorer school as it is assumed that he or she would have worked harder to get there.

I hope that same criteria applies to David who has dyspraxia and has worked twice as hard as other kids to get the same results - those were the words of his primary school teacher.  I used to volunteer as a parent helper in his class to monitor his progress as I could see his constant struggle, he always seemed to be the only child whose work was never good enough to be displayed on the wall, and I was fobbed off repeatedly by his head teacher. But that’s the past now and David hopefully has much to look forward to.

I woke up to the most wonderful news today that Alan Johnston has been freed after nearly four terrifying months in captivity.

It seems ironic that he is released at a time when the UK is on a critical security alert fearing an imminent terrorist attack.

At this time, let’s not forget other political prisoners around the world who don’t have the same powerful contacts and profile as the BBC. Let’s hope there is also a successful outcome for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who was abducted by Hamas terrorists a year ago.

Welcome home Alan!

Derek Burns has been missing since 10 March 1989 when he was 20. He left his home in West Calder, Scotland saying he was going to meet friends for a drink but did not return. It was later discovered that Derek had gone to Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, to see his girlfriend. He has not been heard from him since.

His family are very concerned for Derek and they long to know that he is safe and well. Derek’s father, also called Derek, works tirelessly to find out what has happened to his son, saying:

“Always remember, through thick and thin, whatever you decide to do, we love you son�.

Two years ago Derek’s father took part in a celebrity sponsored walk from Edinburgh to London for missing persons, where he joined Sir Trevor McDonald and Janet Street-Porter along the way. Also participating were pop stars from Steps, Hear’Say and S-Club.

Derek is 6ft 2in, slim with grey/blue eyes. At the time of his disappearance, Derek had long, dark brown, wavy hair. He may now have a beard.

If anyone has any information about Derek please call the confidential 24 hour charity Missing People on Freefone 0500 700 700. Donations to the charity can be made via the website www.missingpeople.org.uk

In memory of those who are still missing.