The family of Kevin Hicks have joined forces with the Missing People charity to mark 35 years since his disappearance from Croydon.
Kevin Hicks was aged just 16 when he went missing from Croydon on Sunday, March 2, 1986.
He disappeared after going out to buy some eggs for a cooking exam he had the next day.
He left with just £1 and headed off to Sperrings community shop on Lower Addiscombe Road.
He was last seen by someone who knew him at 10pm in Shirley Road, walking in the general direction of his home.
Kevin todays your 51st birthday it’s another year without u not knowing if u alive or passed away not knowing what happened 35 yrs ago Someone somewhere knows it’s killing me that someone kept secret this long from grieving family
— Alexandra Hicks (@aleandra40) February 9, 2021
Kevin happy birthday love n miss you SO MUCH 💛💛 pic.twitter.com/R4EjqWHqS6
His family searched relentlessly for him with the help of the authorities without a definitive answer, even following the death of Kevin's parents in 1994 and 2003 respectively.
Police previously said they believed he had been killed.
As the 35th anniversary of his disappearance, Kevin's sister Alexandra issued a statement urging anyone with information to break their silence.
"I have 15 happy years of us together the memories of us as kids, but I also have 35 years of sad memories looking for you. in those 35 years we have lost a lot of family members including mum (October 1994) and dad (May 2003) they never ever gave up looking for you," she wrote.
"Mum did an appeal before she died but we heard nothing, so many people at mum’s funeral the church was packed, people had to stand outside while service was on.
"At the end, Dad and I looked and counted the flowers, the next day, we collected the cards there was an extra bunch I so wish they were from you.
"We have all been living in limbo not knowing what happened to you. Someone, somewhere knows something they need to come forward if they are keeping a secret.
"If somethings happened to you I need to lay you to rest with Mum and Dad. You are a Great Uncle now, yes I know we are too young haha.
"My daughters and grandchildren keep me going while I’m searching/looking for you. I just need answers, I have a massive empty hole in my heart it’s from missing you, the not knowing.
"If you’re still out there we have so many birthdays to celebrate together. I love you Kevin I need my brother back please help me xx".
Kevin is described as white, had light brown hair, 5’10 at the time, his right eye was blue and his left eye was hazel.
He would now be 51 years old.
Missing People Publicity Officer, Jemima Compton, said: "Kevin, if you are reading this, please call or text us on 116 000. It’s free and confidential and we can’t trace your call.
"We just want to provide you with the support you need and help you to be safe. The helpline is here to support people who are missing or thinking of going missing and their loved ones who are left behind."
If anyone has seen Kevin, they can contact Missing People confidentially by calling or texting 116 000 or by emailing 116000@missingpeople.org.uk or they can call police on 101.
It is free to contact thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Sightings and information about any missing person can also be given anonymously through the Missing People website.
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