I imagine the whole nation is feeling overwhelming relief 
following the brilliant news that nine-year-old schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has been found alive and well, three weeks after going missing.
She had been found concealed in the base of a divan bed in a house in Dewsbury and a 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of abduction.
This is particularly great news following the first ever march in London for families of missing people earlier this week. They said they would only feel joy if any of them were reunited with their lost loved one, they would share their happiness with them, despite their personal ongoing heartache.
It will also put an end to the cruel media speculation which the Matthews and McCann families have endured, the comparisons made between coverage of Shannon and Madeleine McCann‘s disappearances based on their different backgrounds.
Let’s hope more families with missing loved ones have good news to look forward to soon as well.
Wonderful news. Must give some hope to other parents.
What great news to hear.
Mrs. Curly has always speculated that this was a case of “family business”.
I wonder if the fact that the police now have Shannon under their wing with the auspices of a child protection order, is an indication of this.
The order given my the magistrates normally only applies when a child is at risk of harm.
Curly, a pity it took so long to rescue Shannon if it was as Mrs C says.
Thank God! Statistics show that after 48 hours, the chances of finding someone alive diminish.
This is fantastic news and I pray that little Shannon will be able to put this behind her without too much trauma. (what an understatement that was!) I had read your posts previous about the march and found them to be heartwarming. Thank God for Shannon and her family.
Wonderful news the girl has been found.
But yes there is discrimination – I live with it every day from my childrens school. The headmaster this wednesday threatened to ‘advise’ social services and let them interrogate me if I didn’t give him full details of my relationship with my ex and whether ‘it’ continued. That included FULL history, how often I saw him, the lot. I’m furious and upset. This all happened because a teacher told me my son had been a bit quiet and I told her he gets a bit upset after seeing his father. I’ve also noticed that married and affluent parents can be habitually late and I’m reprimanded like a 5yr old by the head even though I’ve battled with ill health for the last 2-3 years. Prejudice against single mothers DOES exist. And it is wrong.
Rare good news on this front is very welcome.
So good to read of a happy ending.
Pip, I’m sorry to hear about your experiences, life must be tough enough as it is.
I am not a facist and I am not a snob either. I like junk food and the occasional Pepsi Cola. I am very pleased that Shannon is safe and well I am really happy for this little girl and wish her all the very best in the future. But, I cannot stand some of the choices people like her mother have made. She is obviously not working and yet she has six kids to many different men. I do not have the luxury of being to have that many kids I would love to have one but I cannot afford to do that. Instead I am just miserable and approaching middle age.
Catriona, I truly sympathise with your situation, it’s not fair that you are delaying on being a mother by being responsible and planning ahead. But please don’t leave it too long and miss the boat, I know you would make a great mum.