A MAN allegedly kept as a slave by travellers and found after 13 years of being missing has inspired a Caldicot woman to persist in helping people in similar situations.

Jan Sullivan, founder of missingadultsandchildrenintheuk.co.uk, has remained close to the family of Darrell Simester, 43, discovered in a rundown farm caravan in Peterstone, between Newport and Cardiff, with lots of health problems earlier this year.

Before the happy ending, Ms Sullivan worked with Darrell’s family, posting appeals online and asking the local paper to cover the story.

Then, to their surprise, the Simester family had a call notifying them where he was.

Jan, 57, has been invited to a big party in Darrell’s home town of Kidderminster to celebrate his return next month and keeps in daily contact with his mum Jean, who said: “If it wasn’t for Jan’s site and the newspaper article I don’t think we’d have ever found him, as the police weren’t interested.

“People don’t realise how many people go missing every single day of the year.

“When I found Darrell it was like winning the lottery.”

The former receptionist set up her website after posting details on Facebook about Joel Andrews from Caldicot, who went missing after going to a rave in 2011 and was later found dead. She then assisted with the search for Rikki Baldwin, 24, of Sedbury, who also sadly did not make it home.

“The circumstances about those boys just touched me. In Darrell’s case it just shows you must never give up,” she said.

Ms Sullivan filled a book of condolences for Mr Andrews with Facebook messages from people across the world and gave it to his family.

For Rikki, his family put an English flag near where he died and Ms Sullivan was asked to sign it first.

On Facebook, her website and Twitter @missinguk1, she posts police alerts and information from families about their lost loved ones. “If it’s not in the news you don’t hear about it,” Ms Sullivan said.

As a voluntary organisation with charitable aims, missingadultsandchildrenintheuk.co.uk is now doing fundraising, so more help can be provided. On Saturday, Angharad Myers and Ann- Marie Maund walked across the old Severn Bridge to raise funds for the group.

Ms Sullivan said it will help with running costs.

Recently a mother’s son went missing, and she was unable to drive. She said: “If I could have taken £20 out of the pot I’d have gone and helped them look for this boy. We would also like to put leaflets out.”

Missing people or those seeking help can call 0800 2404709 or get in touch via social networks.