Monday 21 March 2016

I'll be loving you always.... the final hunt is on.

The search for Christian (Chris) is in The Times today, appropriately on page 13, 13 years (well 2 days early) since we last heard from Chris - which was 23rd March when he phoned Mum and Dad from a little hut outside Kita, Mali, to wish them both Happy Birthday'. 

Please share this as wide as you can... especially in Africa and Europe (especially France). 


I've got Steve Wonder playing non-stop today... sending out those good vibes to my little bro:
As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving 
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May 
Just as hate knows love's the cure 
You can rest your mind assure 
That I'll be loving you always 
As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow 
But in passing will grow older every day 
Just as all is born is new 
Do know what I say is true 
That I'll be loving you always....

Thursday 17 March 2016

Searching For Chris Velten - Facebook

FYI

There is a new campaign page on Facebook where I'm posting the latest updates on the search for Chris: https://www.facebook.com/searchforchrisvelten/

See you there!

Friday 11 March 2016

Development....

Only this week, I put the attached image of my brother (with an anaconda in the West Indies) out on Facebook and received a response I never expected - this image was recognised, by a well-known Kenyan radio personality and wildlife conservationist, as being used as a Facebook profile image or on the profile page two or three years ago. 


I first posted this image in November 2014 on my business blog, having only just found it when I plucked up the nerve to log-on to Chris' computer, which had not been touched for at least 10 years. Before that time, Chris would NOT have had access to this image. I wonder - does anyone else recognise this image of Chris? He is more than likely using a different name. 
We are desperate to find him. Knowing Chris, before he left for Africa, there is no way that he would ignore his family - he was a seasoned traveller and would always keep in regular contact. Something is keeping him from getting in contact - if he's copied the image then he most certainly knows we're still searching fo him. There could be many reasons for him not coming forward… his mental/physical state, being stopped from coming forward, anxiety about getting in touch after so long, having to face the music, etc. 
Please be assured, if you do know Chris, we only want to know he’s still alive so we can come out of this nightmare limbo. Please, please, if you recognise Chris, or know him, please get in touch…


Friday 4 March 2016

What would Chris look like now? Our ideas...

He won't look this clean-shaven now, but this was my brother, Christian (Chris) Velten, 13(ish) years ago... just in case anyone recognises him! And his planned route through West Africa. We last heard from him on 23 March 2003 outside Kita, Mali and the last confirmed sighting of him was in April 2003 in Bamako, Mali.
Although 40, he will probably look 50! Probably greying, with receding hair. Being European, in Africa for 13 years, he will probably be suffering from bouts of malaria and may have missing teeth, walk with a lip, sport a beard and look more Arabic than Western. All in all, he will look so different. He might be amongst the mass of refugees currently in Europe, or he may still be in Africa...





Thursday 3 March 2016

Saturday Live: The Final Push?

Hello everyone

I’ve got something I’d like you to help me with - it involves positive thoughts… much like our ‘circle’ of positive thoughts at Chris’ 40th party.

Rather bizarrely, I’m going to be on 'Saturday Live' this Saturday morning on BBC Radio 4 (9am -10.30am). 
I never normally listen to the show as I’m usually in a swimming pool with the children, but on 16th January, Freya had a cold, and we stayed at home. 
On the show that morning was a girl called ‘Claire’ from LostBox, talking about reuniting lost things with their owners, and the explorer, Levison Wood, who we were watching on TV travelling through the Himalayas. 
In my mind, I connected the two to create - Lost Explorer. And you all know who that is… 
So, I immediately wrote an email to the show along the lines of ‘I haven’t a clue why I’m writing to you, but I know I have to...’ and explained about our lost explorer. 
I heard nothing and forgot about it. 

Out of the blue, the producer emails me on 28th January - could she talk to me. So she rang… 

We talked about Christian, our hope that he’s still alive, what he was like, what he was doing out in Africa, when we last heard from him, how do we cope day-to-day with his loss and then onto my work as a memoir ghostwriter, funeral director writer-in-residence and the importance of recording live stories, etc. 

After we’d exhausted every topic, she said, “We’d love you to come on the show. When we have a good mix of guests for you to appear with, I’ll call you.” 

(You’ll love this next bit, Rob W) She called me back on 25th February - could I be at the studio on 5th March? I will be appearing as ‘Hannah Velten’ (my maiden name), just to confuse many of you!

As most of you will know, I’m absolutely convinced that Christian is going to turn up (so is Mum) and I think this MIGHT just be the final push that’s needed to get him home - in my mind, the positive ‘circle’ was the start of that journey. 

So, I’d basically like you all to get those positive ‘Come home, Chris/Chrissie/Relts/Christian’ thoughts and prayers going while I’m on air - there are 4 guests, so I will be dipping in and out of the conversations. It will be emotional, so Grant is going to be coming with me (thank you, Sharon, for making that possible), but I hope someone somewhere listening will hold the key we need. Christian won’t be anything like the man who left for Africa, but having him home, in whatever state, will be better than this limbo hell. 

Many thanks to you all and lots of love
Hannah x

P.S Please do pass this on to anyone else who you feel might like to join in with the positive vibes.