Yahoo News Mum's relief as missing teen Dillon Duffy found after 10-day search
A missing teenager who changed trains in Stoke has been found safe after 10 days to the relief of his family. His mother, Donna Duffy, expressed her joy, saying: "To hear my boy's voice was the best feeling in the world."
Dillon Duffy, 18, disappeared on June 18, prompting a widespread search across London after he travelled from Manchester Piccadilly to Stoke and then to Euston, over 200 miles away from his home.
The community in Oldham rallied around the family, with Facebook groups being created and social media appeals going viral after Dillon left a note behind. On Saturday, his mother confirmed to the MEN that Dillon was safe and staying with his father at a hotel in London.
She shared that he would be coming back home later today. "It's truly amazing," Donna. "I am truly relieved and so grateful for everyone's support."
Donna updated the Help Find Dillon Duffy Facebook group on Friday night, announcing that Dillon had bravely 'reached out' and posted on the group himself.
Her post read: "What Dillon has done is amazing. He had the confidence to reach out and tell his own story. Immediately, I just wanted to find him. Everyone was frantically trying to get hold of him. Eventually I spoke to him, it was Dillon his voice and it broke me.
"To hear my boy's voice was the best feeling in the world. I stayed on the phone until his dad reached his location. Then I heard in the background, Dillon, Dillon! His dad was with him, he was safe."
Donna described the past 10 days as 'hell'. However, she added: "What I have learnt is that there is so much kindness in the world. So much love that other people have to share and that's what brought him back, that's what brought him home.
"Without this group Dillon may of never reached out and I am so lucky that he did. From the bottom of my heart I am truly grateful to every single person who never gave up, who shared a post, who shared a poster, who went out looking and who always thought the best of him. I thank you, I thank all of you so much. Never give up, never stop believing and always have hope."
Previously, Donna expressed her deep concern after Dillon disappeared. She explained that she had dropped him off near the Asda supermarket on Milne Street in Chadderton around 8am, from where he was supposed to go to work - but he never arrived.
Later that day, Dillon's phone was traced to Manchester Piccadilly railway station, and it was discovered that he had travelled to Stoke and then London.
Both the Metropolitan Police in London and Greater Manchester Police were informed about Dillon's disappearance.
