Father goes lacking on vacation in Benidorm as sons beg Santa ‘to deliver dad residence’
John Hardy hasn’t been seen since leaving to visit some friends in Benidorm, Spain, now his two young sons are begging Father Christmas to bring him home safe for the festivities
Two young boys have begged Santa for the return of their missing father this Christmas.
The distraught boys, aged six and 13, are desperate to be reunited with their dad, John Hardy after he was reported missing on December 18. He is reported to have been on holiday in Alicante, Spain, before leaving to meet some friends in Benidorm.
He has not been heard from since and his desperately worried sister Courtney George is asking anyone who might have some information to help. John’s lack of contact is unusual as he usually speaks to Courtney at least once every couple of days.
Courtney, a pharmacy assistant, had planned to welcome her 37-year-old brother for Christmas dinner. Now, she says, “all his kids want for Christmas is for him to come home”.
Courtney, whose GoFundMe has more than £8,900 of donations, says she feels like “setting her tree on fire and running away from this nightmare”.
Courtney, from Belfast, said: “I have to have Christmas for my own kids but I would happily set my tree on fire and run away from this nightmare.
“We’ve lost a family member recently and he was really upset and thought he needed a holiday. His youngest is very confused and the 13-year-old has seen everything on social media and is very distressed. They love their daddy.
“All they want for Christmas is their dad to come home. I haven’t eaten in five days and have been physically sick because it’s been nine days without contact… “He was meant to be coming to my house for Christmas dinner and we had our plans made.
Courtney is hoping to get funds together for a search party. She said: “It’s family time so nobody will be looking for our family when they want to spend it with their own. It’s very urgent because places close and people go on holiday.
“We already know that we won’t have John for Christmas.”
Mum-of-two Courtney says she can’t believe the amazing support through the GoFundMe from both Belfast and further afield.
A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland received a report on Wednesday, 18th December that a 37-year-old man from Belfast, holidaying in Spain, was believed to be missing.
“Enquiries are ongoing in conjunction with our international policing partners.”
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